The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. In which of the following patient populations is the MMR vaccine absolutely contraindicated?
- A A 12-month-old child with a history of egg allergy
- B A 6-month-old infant travelling to an endemic area
- C A 25-year-old pregnant woman ✓
- D A 30-year-old healthcare worker with a common cold
Correct answer: C. A 25-year-old pregnant woman
Explanation
Live attenuated vaccines including MMR are absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy due to the theoretical risk of transplacental infection and fetal harm, particularly with rubella. Egg allergy is not a contraindication to MMR as the vaccine is cultured in chick embryo fibroblasts and contains negligible egg protein. An infant under 6 months would still have maternal antibodies; MMR is not given before 12 months routinely but is not contraindicated in the same absolute sense.
Reference: CDC Pink Book: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 14th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.