###Human: Is it advisable to get an annual flu vaccine shot every year for a child? ###Assistant: Hi. I understand your concern. Flue vaccines are annual because every season there is change is strains of Virus. WHO notify six monthly which strain to be used for next shot. It is not a mandatory vaccine, but it is optional. I usually recommend to my patients if they have poor immunity. Baby born premature, asthma, recurrent respiratory infections, repeated hospital admissions, on chronic medications, poor immune state (nephrotic syndrome, TB, HIV), if swine flu is endemic in that geographic area. If the baby is healthy, no above risk factor, then you can exercise not to give. As flu is air born disease and kids are in general high-risk population, I would recommend. It will be safer to give.