Which vaccine should a nurse administer to an 18-month-old toddler who is due for their scheduled immunization?

For an 18-month-old toddler, the fourth diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is part of the recommended immunization schedule. At this age, children are due for their routine immunizations to bolster their immunity against these serious diseases.

The DTaP vaccine series is typically given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a fourth dose recommended between 15-18 months. This timing is crucial as it ensures that children remain protected from diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis as they grow, particularly since these diseases can have serious complications.

While the other options may involve important vaccines, they are not indicated for administration at 18 months. For instance, the second hepatitis B vaccine is typically given earlier in infancy and not at this age. The fifth inactivated polio vaccine is also not needed at this time as it is usually administered later at 4-6 years. The pneumococcal and influenza vaccines have their own schedules, with the pneumococcal vaccine typically completed before age 2 and the influenza vaccine recommended annually starting at 6 months, but these do not replace the DTaP