A 24-year-old woman attends her first antenatal visit at 14 weeks of gestation and has never received tetanus vaccination. According to the National Immunization Schedule, how should tetanus-diphtheria (Td) immunization be planned for this pregnancy?
- A Two doses of Td, the first as early as possible and the second at least 4 weeks later ✓
- B Single dose of Td any time before delivery
- C Three doses of Td at monthly intervals starting at 28 weeks
- D One dose of Td immediately and immunoglobulin simultaneously
Correct answer: A. Two doses of Td, the first as early as possible and the second at least 4 weeks later
Explanation
For an unimmunized pregnant woman, Td1 is given as early as possible in pregnancy and Td2 at least 4 weeks after Td1, ideally completing the course at least 2 weeks before delivery so that adequate maternal antibodies transfer to the fetus. B single dose does not provide sufficient protection against neonatal tetanus. Tetanus immunoglobulin is not part of routine antenatal prophylaxis in the UIP.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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