Pentavalent vaccine used in the National Immunization Programme of India contains which combination of antigens?
- A Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Hepatitis B + Haemophilus influenzae type b ✓
- B Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + IPV + Hib
- C Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Hepatitis A + Hib
- D Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Hib + OPV
Correct answer: A. Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Hepatitis B + Haemophilus influenzae type b
Explanation
Pentavalent vaccine in India's NIS is DTP-HepB-Hib: Diphtheria + Tetanus + whole-cell Pertussis + Hepatitis B + Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate. It is given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. It replaced the older DPT + Hepatitis B separate schedule, improving coverage and reducing injections. Option B describes the 5-in-1 used in some other countries (no HepB, has IPV instead). Hepatitis A is not in the pentavalent formulation.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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