Which vaccine is given at birth?

Hepatitis B vaccine is administered at birth because it provides critical early protection against Hepatitis B virus infection, which can lead to chronic liver disease and liver cancer if contracted in infancy. The immunization schedule recommends that the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine be given within 24 hours of birth. This is especially important if the mother is a carrier of the virus, as the risk of transmission is high.

In contrast, other vaccines listed have different recommended ages for administration. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) have their own schedules that do not include a birth dose. OPV is typically given in subsequent months after birth, IPV is usually administered between 2 to 4 months of age, and PCV is usually started at 2 months of age. Therefore, the Hepatitis B vaccine is unique in being prioritized for immediate administration at birth, which is why it is the correct choice in this scenario.