A 6-week-old infant is brought for vaccination. The child has moderate acute diarrhea with mild dehydration and a temperature of 38.2°C. According to the current IAP immunization schedule, which vaccines can SAFELY be given today?

• A Defer all vaccines until the child fully recovers
• B Give all scheduled injectable vaccines (DTwP/HiB/HepB/IPV/PCV) but defer oral rotavirus vaccine ✓
• C Give only BCG as it is the safest in febrile illness
• D Give all scheduled vaccines including oral rotavirus as mild illness is not a contraindication

Explanation

Mild to moderate illness with low-grade fever is generally not a contraindication to injectable vaccines, and the IAP guidelines state that vaccination should not be unnecessarily deferred for minor illness. However, oral rotavirus vaccine is a concern during active diarrhea because gut transit may be accelerated and the immune response may be impaired; many guidelines recommend deferring oral live vaccines during acute diarrhea. All injectable vaccines at the 6-week visit can proceed safely.

Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.