Immunisation: catch-up for children aged 7 years or more: practice question

A Pediatrics 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.

Try it

Pediatrics · Immunisation: catch-up for children aged 7 years or more

Sample item

An 8-year-old who never received any DPT-containing vaccine needs a primary series for tetanus and diphtheria. Which vaccine is used?

AWhole-cell DPT, three dosesBA single dose of tetanus toxoidCTdap or Td, three dosesDPentavalent vaccine, three doses

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tdap or Td, three doses

Whole-cell pertussis vaccine is not given from 7 years of age because of reactogenicity and because the diphtheria content of paediatric vaccines is too high. For catch-up at this age, the reduced-antigen Tdap or Td is used in three doses, at 0, 1 to 2 months and 6 to 12 months.

Option by option

A. Whole-cell DPT, three doses
Whole-cell pertussis vaccine is not used from 7 years onwards.
B. A single dose of tetanus toxoid
A single toxoid dose does not give a primary series and omits diphtheria.
C. Tdap or Td, three doses (correct)
Correct. Tdap or Td in three doses covers the primary series at this age.
D. Pentavalent vaccine, three doses
Pentavalent contains whole-cell pertussis and Hib and is for infants.

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.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Tdap or Td, three doses. Whole-cell pertussis vaccine is not given from 7 years of age because of reactogenicity and because the diphtheria content of paediatric vaccines is too high.

Why is "Whole-cell DPT, three doses" not the answer?

Whole-cell pertussis vaccine is not used from 7 years onwards.

Why is "A single dose of tetanus toxoid" not the answer?

A single toxoid dose does not give a primary series and omits diphtheria.

Why is "Pentavalent vaccine, three doses" not the answer?

Pentavalent contains whole-cell pertussis and Hib and is for infants.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: catch-up for children aged 7 years or more in Pediatrics. For catch-up at this age, the reduced-antigen Tdap or Td is used in three doses, at 0, 1 to 2 months and 6 to 12 months.

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 Immunisation: catch-up for children aged 7 years or more?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.