A 2-year-old child who has never been vaccinated is brought to the immunization clinic. As per the National Immunization Schedule guidelines for unvaccinated children above 16 months of age, which of the following vaccines should NOT be given at this visit?

• A Pentavalent vaccine first dose ✓
• B OPV first dose
• C DPT first dose
• D Measles-Rubella first dose

Explanation

Pentavalent vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib) is given only up to 1 year of age under India's NIS. For an unvaccinated child above 16 months, individual component vaccines are used: DPT at 6 weeks to 7 years, OPV up to 5 years, and MR up to 5 years. Since the child is 2 years old, pentavalent is no longer indicated; DPT should be given instead. This catch-up rule is frequently tested in Indian PG entrance exams.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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