A 6-week-old infant receives DPT-Hep B-Hib pentavalent vaccine. The infant develops inconsolable high-pitched crying for 3 hours that evening. This is classified as:

• A A major adverse event — absolute contraindication to subsequent doses
• B Not related to vaccine — requires evaluation for sepsis
• C An anaphylactic reaction — administer adrenaline immediately
• D A minor adverse event (Adverse Event Following Immunization — AEFI Type 1) — precautionary next-dose decision ✓

Explanation

Persistent inconsolable crying >3 hours following DPT vaccination is a recognized minor AEFI (also classified as a precautionary event in AEFI classification). It is a Type 1 (vaccine-product-related reaction) adverse event. It is not an absolute contraindication but warrants precaution before the next dose — clinicians should evaluate whether to continue with the pertussis component (or switch to DT) and report the event. It does not indicate anaphylaxis (which presents with urticaria, hypotension, bronchospasm).

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.