Are my 8 and 2 year-old kids protected from meningitis after having the vaccine?

YES AGAINST MENINGOC: The duration of immunity is not known at thistime.But as of 2010 there remains limited evidence to support if any of the conjugated vaccines offer protection beyond three years, but studies are ongoing to determine actual duration of immunity.But they are protected for time being.

Yes, they are. : If your children are current for their immunization, they are well protected from common bacterial meningitis. However, they are still susceptible to meningitis caused by meningococcus which makes sporadic outbreaks. Conjugated Meningococcal vaccine is currently recommended at age 11 and in 5 years or before entering college.

Depends: It depends on what vaccinations your child has had. Most will have had H-influenza vathccine and may have received pneumococcal vaccine, which are the most common causes of meningitis at their age. There is a meningococcal vaccine which is usually given at an older age. there is pressure to give it to younger children. Speak to your pediatrician about is issue.

Not every form: The Hib vaccine given in infancy resulted in almost total elimination of that form of meningitis in vaccinated kids within a decade.The pneumococcal vaccine has had some impact, the meningococcal vaccine has also helped when used. However, no vaccine is 100% protective and there are many germs that can cause meningitis we have no vaccines against.