Which condition is listed as a temporary contradiction for live vaccines?

• A. Pregnancy
• B. Moderate illness
• C. Recent antibody-containing product
• D. Enculturation

Answer: (A)

Live vaccines use weakened organisms, so certain conditions temporarily prevent giving them to avoid risk or interfere with the immune response. Pregnancy is a temporary contraindication to live vaccines because introducing a live attenuated organism during pregnancy could potentially affect fetal development. That’s why vaccines like the ones for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella are deferred until after delivery.

Moderate illness is usually a reason to postpone vaccination until the person has recovered, but it’s not treated as a strict contraindication in the same way as pregnancy. A recent antibody-containing product can also lead to delaying a live vaccine because passive antibodies may neutralize the vaccine, reducing its effectiveness. Enculturation isn’t a medical factor related to vaccination.