A pregnant woman attends her first antenatal visit at 14 weeks gestation with no record of prior tetanus vaccination. As per the National Immunization Schedule, the correct Td schedule is:
- A Three doses of Td at monthly intervals beginning in the third trimester
- B Single dose of Td immediately after delivery to protect the newborn
- C Two doses of Td four weeks apart, with Td-2 completed before 36 weeks of gestation ✓
- D Td only if the woman reports a tetanus-prone injury during pregnancy
Correct answer: C. Two doses of Td four weeks apart, with Td-2 completed before 36 weeks of gestation
Explanation
For unimmunized pregnant women, Td-1 is given as early in pregnancy as possible and Td-2 at least four weeks later, ideally completing both before 36 weeks so adequate antibodies transfer to the fetus. C Td booster follows if Td-2 was received within the preceding three years. Post-delivery vaccination leaves the neonate unprotected against neonatal tetanus, and injury-based vaccination is irrelevant here.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.