A 9-month-old child is registered to attend a local childcare clinic. Upon initial intake, the nurse discovers the child has received the first and second dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. What is the best course of action for the nurse to recommend to the parents?
no action; a third dose of the vaccine is not recommended
immediately inoculate the child given the high risk of not having a third vaccine
wait until the child is 12 months to give the vaccine
schedule the child for the third vaccine at the earliest convenience
Number 4 is correct.
The nurse should recommend the child receive the third vaccine at the earliest convenience as it should be routinely administered anytime from 6 to 19 months of age. Thereafter, the third dose may be safely administered through the age of 18 years old. A third dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is advisable. The child is not in immediate danger by not having had the third vaccine.
