Why are some vaccines given a few times in childhood, and others given every year?
“Before a vaccine is licensed, it is tested to understand how well it can protect,” says Schuchat. “Some vaccines need multiple doses to provide protection, and some need boosters five or 10 years later to make sure the protection stays active. Some vaccines given in childhood wear off as a child becomes a teen, so a new vaccination is needed. “The vaccine that has to be given every year is the flu vaccine. That has to be given every year because the flu viruses change quickly. So a totally new vaccine is made each year.” SOURCES: Anne Schuchat, MD, director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, Atlanta. Chuck Mohan, executive director and CEO the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation. Louis Elsas, MD, professor of medical genetics, University of Miami. © 2008 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
