What vaccine combination is given to a child at 6 weeks?

At 6 weeks of age, children in New Zealand are typically administered the vaccination combination that includes diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and hepatitis B. This combination, often referred to as the DTPaHib/IPV/HepB vaccine, is part of the national immunization schedule designed to protect children from these potentially serious diseases.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are critical for preventing bacterial infections that can have severe consequences for infants and children. Polio vaccination is essential to prevent poliomyelitis, a highly infectious viral disease that can lead to paralysis. Including hepatitis B vaccination is also important, as it protects against a virus that can cause chronic liver infection and increase the risk of developing liver disease later in life.

The other vaccine options listed do not align with the immunization schedule for 6-week-old infants in New Zealand. For example, measles is generally introduced later in the schedule, typically at 12 months, while hepatitis A is not routinely recommended at this age. The flu and pneumonia vaccines can be recommended for younger children but are usually not given at the 6-week mark. Therefore, the vaccine combination given to a child at