Which vaccine is typically administered at 12-15 months?

Which vaccine is typically administered at 12-15 months?

• A. DTaP
• B. Hib
• C. MMR
• D. Varicella

Answer: (C)

The first dose of measles, mumps, and rubella is typically given at the 12- to 15-month visit. This age window is chosen because maternal antibodies have waned enough for the vaccine to be effective, and the child’s immune system is ready to respond robustly to a live attenuated vaccine. Administering MMR at this time provides protection before school entry and aligns with standard vaccination schedules that later require a second MMR dose. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) is usually given earlier in infancy (2, 4, and 6 months) with a later booster around 15–18 months, so it’s not the quintessential vaccine associated with the 12–15 month window. Hib boosters can also occur around 12–15 months depending on the brand and schedule, and Varicella is another vaccine often given at 12–15 months, but the classic, most commonly emphasized vaccine at that specific age is the first MMR dose.

The first dose of measles, mumps, and rubella is typically given at the 12- to 15-month visit. This age window is chosen because maternal antibodies have waned enough for the vaccine to be effective, and the child’s immune system is ready to respond robustly to a live attenuated vaccine. Administering MMR at this time provides protection before school entry and aligns with standard vaccination schedules that later require a second MMR dose.

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) is usually given earlier in infancy (2, 4, and 6 months) with a later booster around 15–18 months, so it’s not the quintessential vaccine associated with the 12–15 month window. Hib boosters can also occur around 12–15 months depending on the brand and schedule, and Varicella is another vaccine often given at 12–15 months, but the classic, most commonly emphasized vaccine at that specific age is the first MMR dose.