Taking a shot at lethal bacteria Add another vaccine to the list of shots infants should receive before they turn 2. The new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, marketed as Prevnar, combats an organism that can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections in young children, leading to 200 deaths each year. The vaccine should also reduce ear infections and pneumonia, says Joanne Cono of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infants can get the shots during regular doctor visits.
Children who are now 24 to 35 months old should also get the vaccine, as should those up to 5 years old if they are in day care or are of African-American or Native American descent, groups with a higher infection risk. Because the vaccine is now on the government immunization schedule, most insurers will pay the cost. Just sit back and surf Surfing the Web usually means sitting at a desk or cradling a laptop. The right armrest contains the expected drink holder and storage space. But flip up the left armrest and pull out a keyboard, and you're on your way to cyberspace.