Which immunization is recommended before discharge for a newborn?

• A. MMR vaccination
• B. Varicella vaccination
• C. Hep B immunization
• D. DTaP vaccination

Answer: (C)

Starting at birth, vaccines follow a schedule that protects the newborn from infections that can be transmitted around delivery. The only vaccine given at this very early stage is the Hepatitis B vaccine, administered soon after birth and ideally before leaving the hospital. This birth dose helps prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B, which is especially important because infection acquired at birth can become a chronic liver condition later in life.

The other vaccines listed aren’t started at birth because they’re scheduled for later ages: MMR and varicella vaccines are given around 12 months (and again later in childhood), while the DTaP series begins at about 2 months of age and continues through early childhood. If the mother is hepatitis B surface antigen positive, the baby may also receive hepatitis B immune globulin in addition to the birth dose to provide extra protection. This combination is part of preventing infant hepatitis B infection right from the start.