Question
Which of the following statements is correct?
| A. |
Hepatitis B vaccine has reduced efficacy if administered intramuscularly. |
| B. |
The maximum time allowed between reconstitution of the MMR vaccine and use is 30 minutes. |
| C. |
Maternal antibodies do not interfere with the cellular immune response to the BCG vaccine. |
| D. |
DTwP is preferred to DTaP for immunization in Adults |
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Correct Answer » C Explanation |
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Detailed Explanation:
Clinical Reasoning for the Correct Answer
– The BCG vaccine, used against tuberculosis, primarily induces a cell-mediated immune response that is not significantly neutralized or inhibited by maternal antibodies.
– Maternal antibodies mainly interfere with humoral immune responses generated by some live attenuated viral vaccines, but do not prevent the cellular immunity induced by BCG.
– Therefore, BCG can be administered at birth despite the presence of maternal antibodies.Why Option A is Incorrect
– Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to be administered intramuscularly rather than subcutaneously, as this route provides optimal immune response and efficacy.
– Intramuscular administration is standard and does not reduce efficacy; incorrect injection sites or routes can impair efficacy but intramuscular is correct.Why Option B is Incorrect
– The MMR vaccine, after reconstitution, should ideally be used within 8 hours, stored at 2–8°C.
– The 30-minute window is an underestimation; 8 hours is the accepted maximum time before discarding the reconstituted vaccine.Why Option D is Incorrect
– DTwP (whole-cell pertussis) vaccine, more reactogenic, is mainly used for children under 7 years in many countries.
– In adults and older children, DTaP (acellular pertussis) vaccines are preferred due to fewer side effects and better tolerability.
– Therefore, DTwP is not preferred in adults.