In pediatrics, the administration of vaccines must be carefully timed to align with the child's developmental stage and immune system readiness. Here, we are tasked with identifying which vaccine is contraindicated for a 3-month-old infant who has recurrent respiratory illness.
Let's analyze the options:
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): This vaccine contains inactivated poliovirus and is considered safe to be administered as early as 2 months of age.
- Measles Vaccine: The measles vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine typically administered at or after 9 months of age. It is not given to infants under 6 months due to the immature immune system and the potential risk of live vaccine complications. This is the contraindicated vaccine for a 3-month-old.
- DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus): Typically administered starting at 2 months of age, DPT contains inactivated components making it suitable for infants.
- DT (Diphtheria and Tetanus): Similar to DPT but without the pertussis component, it is also safe for infants starting at 2 months.
After evaluating each option, we conclude that the Measles vaccine is contraindicated for a 3-month-old with recurrent respiratory illness due to the use of live viral components, which pose unnecessary risks to this age group.