Q: Is pneumococcal vaccination a must for babies? What about children who are above four years?

A:If you can easily afford the vaccine, it is desirable to get the child immunised as it offers protection for two important diseases (pneumonia and meningitis) in children below five years of age, and primarily for those under 1-2 years. For a child aged four years, only a single vaccine shot is required of the 22 valent vaccine, which is much less costly than the entire course for the conjugate vaccine recommended in younger children. If funds are a problem in getting the child immunised for this vaccine, do not lose sleep over it.