Vaccines: live vaccines in pregnancy: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Vaccines: live vaccines in pregnancy

Sample item

A primigravida at 14 weeks of gestation is found to be rubella IgG negative. What is the best advice?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Defer MR or MMR vaccine until after delivery and avoid exposure meanwhile

Live attenuated vaccines such as MMR are avoided in pregnancy because of a theoretical risk to the fetus. A non-immune woman should be vaccinated after delivery, before discharge, with advice to avoid pregnancy for 4 weeks afterwards. Inactivated vaccines may be given in pregnancy.

Option by option

  • A. Give MMR vaccine now

    A live vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy.

  • B. Advise termination of pregnancy

    Termination is not indicated, since she has not been infected.

  • C. Defer MR or MMR vaccine until after delivery and avoid exposure meanwhile (correct)

    Correct. Postpartum vaccination protects future pregnancies without fetal risk.

  • D. Give MMR now and a second dose in 4 weeks

    Repeating a live vaccine in pregnancy compounds the same contraindication.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Defer MR or MMR vaccine until after delivery and avoid exposure meanwhile. Live attenuated vaccines such as MMR are avoided in pregnancy because of a theoretical risk to the fetus.

Why is "Give MMR vaccine now" not the answer?

A live vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Why is "Advise termination of pregnancy" not the answer?

Termination is not indicated, since she has not been infected.

Why is "Give MMR now and a second dose in 4 weeks" not the answer?

Repeating a live vaccine in pregnancy compounds the same contraindication.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vaccines: live vaccines in pregnancy in Microbiology. A non-immune woman should be vaccinated after delivery, before discharge, with advice to avoid pregnancy for 4 weeks afterwards. Inactivated vaccines may be given in pregnancy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Vaccines: live vaccines in pregnancy?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.