Question

Which vaccine is contraindicated in a 3-month-old child with recurrent respiratory illness?

• A. Inactivated polio
• B. Measles
• C. DPT
• D. DT

Hint:

Consider which vaccines are live attenuated and therefore contraindicated when immune function may be compromised.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Vaccine types and contraindications:

Live attenuated vaccines (LAV): BCG, OPV, Measles/MMR, Varicella, Yellow fever, Rotavirus. These are contraindicated in immunocompromised patients because attenuated organisms can replicate and cause serious vaccine-strain disease.

Killed/inactivated vaccines: IPV, DPT, DT, Hepatitis B, Influenza (injectable), Pneumococcal. These are safe in immunocompromised patients.

In this case: The 3-month-old has recurrent respiratory illness suggesting possible immunodeficiency. Among the options:

• IPV -- inactivated, safe
• Measles -- live attenuated, CONTRAINDICATED
• DPT -- inactivated toxoid/antigen, safe
• DT -- inactivated toxoid, safe

Additionally, the measles vaccine is not scheduled at 3 months (given at 9-12 months in India), adding to the reasons it is the wrong vaccine here.

\[\boxed{\text{Measles (live attenuated vaccine) is contraindicated}}\]