Question

There is an outbreak of encephalitis in a community. According to the universal immunization schedule, the route of administration of vaccine for the likely infection is?

• A. Live & subcutaneous
• B. Killed & subcutaneous
• C. Live & intramuscular
• D. Killed & intramuscular

Hint:

Under India's National Immunization Programme, the JE vaccine used is live attenuated and given via a specific non-intramuscular route.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Approach: An encephalitis outbreak in a community within the UIP context points to Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

Key fact -- JE vaccine in India's NIS: India uses the live attenuated SA 14-14-2 strain JE vaccine (cell culture-derived, imported from China) under the National Immunization Schedule. Key properties: Type = Live; Route = Subcutaneous; Dose = 0.5 mL; Site = Left upper arm.

Why not other options? Killed JE vaccines (mouse brain-derived or cell culture-derived inactivated) are used in other countries and given IM, but are NOT the vaccine in India's national programme. So options B, C, D are incorrect.

Schedule details: Dose 1 at 9-12 months (with measles); Dose 2 at 16-24 months (with DPT booster + measles 2nd dose). Administered in 83 JE-endemic districts.

\[\boxed{\text{Live } \& \text{ Subcutaneous}}\]