Free Immunisation and EPI MCQs with Answers

• A. Natural passive immunity
• B. Artificial active immunity
• C. Natural active immunity
• D. Artificial passive immunity

Explanation: Vaccination gives artificial active immunity because the antigen stimulates the child’s own immune system.

• A. Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine
• B. Measles and rubella vaccine
• C. Pentavalent vaccine
• D. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Explanation: BCG is given at birth to help protect against severe childhood tuberculosis, and the birth dose of oral polio vaccine is also given in the…

• A. Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine
• B. Pentavalent vaccine
• C. Oral polio vaccine
• D. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Explanation: Oral polio vaccine is placed in the child’s mouth and is not injected. BCG is given intradermally, while pentavalent and pneumococcal…

• A. Intramuscularly in the anterolateral thigh
• B. Subcutaneously in the upper arm
• C. Intradermally in the upper arm
• D. Orally on the anterior tongue

Explanation: BCG is administered intradermally, usually over the upper arm, where a small wheal should appear.

• A. At birth
• B. At 6 weeks
• C. At 9 months
• D. At 18 months

Explanation: The first routine measles and rubella dose is given at 9 months, followed by a second dose at 15 months in the routine schedule.

• A. Between 0°C and 2°C
• B. Between 2°C and 8°C
• C. Between 8°C and 15°C
• D. Between 15°C and 25°C

Explanation: Most routine vaccines are stored and transported at 2°C to 8°C. Freezing can damage freeze-sensitive vaccines, while excessive heat can…

• A. Give the scheduled vaccine after assessment
• B. Delay all vaccines for four weeks
• C. Give antibiotics before vaccination
• D. Replace the vaccine with immunoglobulin

Explanation: A mild respiratory illness without serious systemic illness is not usually a reason to postpone routine immunisation.

• A. Document the event and discharge the child
• B. Give oral fluids and observe for one hour
• C. Assess the airway and provide emergency treatment
• D. Apply a cold compress to the injection site

Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority because the findings suggest anaphylaxis, a serious adverse event following immunisation.

• A. Restart the entire vaccination series
• B. Give only vaccines due after one year
• C. Assess records and continue catch-up without restarting valid doses
• D. Wait until the next national immunisation campaign

Explanation: In general, a delayed vaccination series does not need to be restarted.

• A. The vaccine treats infection only after fever resolves
• B. The vaccine prevents future infection but does not treat established measles
• C. The vaccine immediately neutralises measles virus in the blood
• D. The vaccine replaces supportive care during active measles

Explanation: Vaccines stimulate prevention by preparing the immune system before exposure, but they do not treat an established measles infection.

• A. Natural active immunity
• B. Natural passive immunity
• C. Artificial active immunity
• D. Artificial passive immunity

Explanation: Immunoglobulin supplies preformed antibodies, so it gives artificial passive immunity.

• A. Live attenuated vaccine
• B. Inactivated whole-cell vaccine
• C. Toxoid vaccine
• D. Subunit vaccine

Explanation: Live attenuated vaccines contain weakened organisms that can multiply to a limited extent and stimulate cellular and humoral immunity.

• A. Intramuscular injection in the anterolateral thigh
• B. Subcutaneous injection in the upper outer arm
• C. Intradermal injection over the deltoid region
• D. Oral administration into the side of the mouth

Explanation: Pentavalent vaccine is given intramuscularly in the anterolateral thigh of young infants.

• A. Measles vaccine
• B. Tetanus vaccine
• C. BCG vaccine
• D. Oral polio vaccine

Explanation: Tetanus vaccine contains tetanus toxoid, which stimulates antibodies against the toxin rather than against a live bacterium.

• A. Second dose of pentavalent vaccine
• B. First dose of BCG vaccine
• C. Birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine
• D. First dose of measles and rubella vaccine

Explanation: The routine primary series of pentavalent vaccine is given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks.

• A. Use the vial before the session ends
• B. Place the vial in the freezer for later use
• C. Discard the vial and record the wastage
• D. Shake the vial and use it immediately

Explanation: A VVM with an inner square that matches or is darker than the outer circle indicates that the vaccine has received excessive cumulative…

• A. Administer it with an antipyretic beforehand
• B. Give half the dose by a different route
• C. Withhold it and refer for clinical assessment
• D. Give it only when the child has a mild fever

Explanation: A previous anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine or one of its components is a true contraindication to repeating that vaccine without…

• A. Reassure the family that reporting is unnecessary
• B. Document and report the event through the AEFI system
• C. Give the next vaccine early to complete the schedule
• D. Discard every vaccine stored at the clinic

Explanation: A convulsion and reduced responsiveness are serious adverse events following immunisation and require urgent assessment, documentation and…

• A. Freeze-sensitive vaccines such as pentavalent and hepatitis B
• B. Heat-sensitive vaccines such as oral polio vaccine
• C. Only vaccines that have passed their expiry date
• D. Only vaccines supplied in multidose vials

Explanation: Temperatures at or below freezing can damage freeze-sensitive vaccines, including pentavalent and hepatitis B vaccines.

• A. Antibiotics create immune memory against polio
• B. Vaccination helps prevent infection by stimulating immunity
• C. Antibiotics permanently neutralise polio vaccine reactions
• D. Vaccination treats paralysis after polio infection develops

Explanation: Vaccination stimulates the infant’s immune system to develop protection before exposure to poliovirus.