Immunizations and Vaccines Flashcards

Which type of vaccine contains a weakened but live pathogen?

Answer: Live attenuated vaccine

Live attenuated vaccines (e.g., MMR, varicella, LAIV) use a weakened form of the pathogen that replicates in the host, generally producing strong, long-lasting immunity.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual influenza vaccination for:

Answer: Everyone 6 months of age and older

ACIP recommends annual influenza vaccination for all persons ≥6 months of age, particularly those at high risk for complications (elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant women, young children).

Which vaccine is contraindicated in severely immunocompromised patients due to risk of disease from the vaccine strain?

Answer: Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Live vaccines like varicella are contraindicated in severely immunocompromised patients because the attenuated virus can cause disease in those unable to mount an immune response.

The shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine Shingrix is recommended for adults aged:

Answer: 50 years and older

ACIP recommends Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine, RZV) for all immunocompetent adults 50 years and older, given as 2 doses 2–6 months apart, regardless of prior shingles history.

What should be done if a patient reports a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of a vaccine?

Answer: Refer to an allergist/immunologist — future doses of that vaccine are generally contraindicated

Prior anaphylaxis to a vaccine or its components is a contraindication to further doses. The patient should be referred to an allergist to evaluate the specific allergen and assess risk.

Vaccines that require storage between 2°C and 8°C (35°F–46°F) are said to require:

Answer: Refrigerator storage (cold chain)

Most vaccines require refrigerator storage (2–8°C) as part of the cold chain. Freezing these vaccines can damage them. Varicella and zoster vaccines require frozen storage (−15°C or colder).