A child is receiving the 6-in-1 vaccine, which provides protection against six diseases and is started at 8 weeks; when is the second dose given?

A child is receiving the 6-in-1 vaccine, which provides protection against six diseases and is started at 8 weeks; when is the second dose given?

• A. 8 weeks
• B. 12 weeks
• C. 10 weeks
• D. 16 weeks

Answer: (B)

This question tests understanding of the infant primary vaccination schedule for the hexavalent vaccine, which protects against six diseases. After the first dose is given at eight weeks, the immune system needs time to respond and develop memory. The standard practice is to space the next dose by about four weeks, placing the second dose at twelve weeks. This timing helps achieve adequate antibody levels against all six components and maintains protection during early infancy. The following dose, at sixteen weeks, completes the primary series. Giving the second dose earlier, at eight weeks, would provide no interval and wouldn’t reliably boost immunity, while delaying to sixteen weeks would leave a window with incomplete protection.

This question tests understanding of the infant primary vaccination schedule for the hexavalent vaccine, which protects against six diseases. After the first dose is given at eight weeks, the immune system needs time to respond and develop memory. The standard practice is to space the next dose by about four weeks, placing the second dose at twelve weeks. This timing helps achieve adequate antibody levels against all six components and maintains protection during early infancy. The following dose, at sixteen weeks, completes the primary series. Giving the second dose earlier, at eight weeks, would provide no interval and wouldn’t reliably boost immunity, while delaying to sixteen weeks would leave a window with incomplete protection.