Which patient is eligible to receive their first dose of the rotavirus vaccine?

The rotavirus vaccine is part of the recommended immunization schedule for infants, aimed at protecting them against rotavirus infections, which can cause severe gastroenteritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends administering the first dose of the rotavirus vaccine between 6 weeks and 15 weeks of age.

A 10-week old infant falls within this recommended age range for their first dose, making them eligible for vaccination. The vaccine is most effective when given before the infant turns 15 weeks old, and ideally, the first dose should be administered as early as 6 weeks of age.

In contrast, a 6-week old infant is also within the eligible range but may not fully represent the typical approach since it's generally advisable to aim for administration around 10 weeks due to spacing with other vaccines. A 4-month old infant is still eligible, but they are beyond the ideal window for the first dose; while they can receive it, the recommendation focuses on earlier vaccination. Lastly, a 1-year-old child is no longer eligible for the first dose, as the rotavirus vaccination series is typically completed by the age of 8 months, and infants should ideally start the series by 15 weeks of age.

Thus, the