A child aged 9 months is brought for immunization. The health worker notes the child is currently having mild fever (38.2°C) and mild URI. What is the CORRECT action per NIS guidelines?

• A Defer all vaccines until fully recovered
• B Administer all age-appropriate vaccines as mild illness is not a contraindication ✓
• C Administer only OPV; defer injected vaccines until recovery
• D Administer Measles vaccine only, defer OPV because of fever

Explanation

Mild acute illness, including low-grade fever, mild cough, rhinitis, or mild diarrhea, is NOT a contraindication to vaccination per WHO and NIS guidelines. Deferring vaccination in such cases leads to missed opportunities and compromises herd immunity. Vaccines should be deferred only for moderate-to-severe illness. This is a frequently tested principle to counter the common misconception that any fever warrants postponing vaccines.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.