Under the National Immunization Schedule, vitamin A prophylaxis begins with the first dose at 9 months. How many total doses of vitamin A are given to a child by 5 years of age?
- A 5 doses
- B 7 doses
- C 9 doses ✓
- D 11 doses
Correct answer: C. 9 doses
Explanation
The first dose of 1 lakh IU is given at 9 months with MR vaccine, followed by 8 doses of 2 lakh IU each at 6 monthly intervals from 16 to 18 months up to 5 years, making 9 doses in total. This schedule follows the national policy of universal vitamin A supplementation to prevent deficiency. Counting only the post-first-dose boosters gives 8, and counting from 6 months gives 10, both common errors.
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.