How many doses of the influenza vaccine are required for children aged 6 months receiving it for the first time?

For children aged 6 months to 8 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time, the recommended protocol is to administer two doses of the vaccine. This two-dose schedule is important because it helps to ensure that children build a strong immune response to the virus. The first dose primes the immune system, and the second dose, given at least four weeks later, boosts this response, providing better protection against influenza.

In contrast, for children who have previously received the vaccine, typically only one dose is needed, as they already have some level of immunity. Therefore, the need for two doses for first-time recipients is critical to ensure adequate protection, particularly since young children are at a higher risk for complications from influenza.