Final answer:
The Hepatitis B vaccine is administered to all newborns weighing
to protect against serious liver disease. Vaccines like MMR are also critical for children's health but are not given at birth. Vaccination has drastically reduced incidences of once-common diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vaccine that is given to all newborns weighing
is the Hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine is crucial as it protects infants from Hepatitis B, a potentially serious liver disease. By vaccinating at birth, healthcare professionals aim to start providing immunity as early as possible to prevent this illness. Vaccines have played a significant role in mitigating the spread and impact of dangerous diseases. Prior to widespread vaccination practices, diseases like whooping cough, measles, and polio claimed many lives, especially among the young and vulnerable. Fortunately, through the implementation of robust immunization schedules, including vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, and chicken pox, the incidents of these diseases have dramatically decreased.
In the context of the various vaccines listed, it's important to note that while the MMR vaccine (Measles, mumps, rubella) is an essential vaccine for children, it is not the vaccine administered at birth. The MMR vaccine's safety has been well-established in peer-reviewed studies, dismissing earlier fraudulent claims of its association with autism.