A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a parent about the pneumococcal vaccine. Which of the following should the nurse include?

A. The vaccine is administered subcutaneously, or just underneath the skin. The pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) is given intramuscularly (IM), not subcutaneously. The preferred injection sites are the anterolateral thigh (for infants) or the deltoid muscle (for older children). B. The first dose of the vaccine is administered at 2 months of age. This is correct. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is routinely given at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months of age to protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. C. The vaccine is contraindicated in individuals who are allergic to gelatin. This is incorrect. The pneumococcal vaccine is not formulated with gelatin. Gelatin allergies are more relevant for vaccines like MMR and varicella. However, PCV13 should not be given to those with severe allergic reactions to any previous dose of the vaccine. D. The vaccine is given in a series of six doses spread throughout the first 5 years of life. The PCV13 vaccine is given in a series of four doses, not six. While some high-risk children may require additional doses of PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine), the routine childhood schedule consists of four doses.