Which of the following vaccines is CONTRAINDICATED in a child receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroids (2 mg/kg/day of prednisolone for 2 weeks)?

• A Inactivated influenza vaccine
• B Hepatitis B vaccine
• C MMR vaccine ✓
• D Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Explanation

MMR is a live attenuated vaccine and is contraindicated in patients receiving high-dose systemic corticosteroids (2 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks or more) due to the risk of vaccine-associated disease. Inactivated vaccines (influenza, HepB, PCV) are safe in immunocompromised patients. The key distinction is that live vaccines are contraindicated in significant immunosuppression, while inactivated vaccines are not.

Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.