Community Medicine
5 questionsWhich is the first step in carrying out an Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI)?
At the end of an immunization session, you found that a reconstituted BCG vaccine vial has around two doses left in it. What should be done in such a situation?
With reference to Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVM) being used on vaccine vials, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It gives information about heat exposure over a period of time 2. It directly indicates vaccine potency Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Why is matching done in a case-control study?
Which of the following vaccines has NOT been introduced in the Universal Immunization Programme in India?
UPSC-CMS 2017 - Community Medicine UPSC-CMS Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 111: Which is the first step in carrying out an Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI)?
- A. Confirm information in report (Correct Answer)
- B. Collect data about the suspected vaccine
- C. Observe the immunization service in action
- D. Formulate a working hypothesis
Explanation: ***Confirm information in report*** - The initial and crucial step is to **verify the accuracy and completeness of the reported information** to ensure reliable data for further investigation. - This involves checking details such as the **patient's demographics, vaccine administered, date of vaccination, and the reported adverse event** itself. *Collect data about the suspected vaccine* - While essential for an AEFI investigation, **collecting specific vaccine data comes after confirming the initial report**, as you first need a verified event to investigate. - This step focuses on the **vaccine's batch number, expiry date, and manufacturer**, which are vital for causality assessment but not the very first action. *Observe the immunization service in action* - **Observing the immunization service** is a step that might be taken later in an investigation if a program error or procedural issue is suspected, not the immediate first step for an individual AEFI. - This helps identify **potential programmatic errors** in vaccine administration or storage, which is a downstream investigative measure. *Formulate a working hypothesis* - **Formulating a working hypothesis** is part of the analytical phase of an AEFI investigation, which occurs after initial data collection and confirmation, not as the very first step. - A hypothesis guides further investigation into potential causes but requires **initial confirmed data** to be meaningful.
Question 112: At the end of an immunization session, you found that a reconstituted BCG vaccine vial has around two doses left in it. What should be done in such a situation?
- A. Discard the vial in a black coloured bin
- B. Take decision depending upon the Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) status
- C. Can reuse the remaining two doses during the next immunization session
- D. Discard the vial in a red coloured bin (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Discard the vial in a red coloured bin*** - **Reconstituted BCG vaccine must be discarded at the end of the immunization session** or after **4 hours of reconstitution**, whichever comes first, as per WHO and India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) guidelines - This is because reconstituted BCG is **highly susceptible to bacterial contamination** and loses potency over time - **Red coloured bin** is used for **contaminated waste** including discarded vaccine vials in the biomedical waste management system (though yellow bins are sometimes used for pharmaceutical waste) - The multi-dose vial policy based on VVM status applies to **unopened/non-reconstituted vaccines**, not to already reconstituted vaccines *Take decision depending upon the Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) status* - VVM status is checked **before opening or reconstituting** the vaccine vial, not after reconstitution - For **reconstituted vaccines** like BCG, the time limit (4 hours or end of session) takes precedence over VVM considerations - VVM-based multi-dose vial policy does not apply to already reconstituted vaccines *Can reuse the remaining two doses during the next immunization session* - This is **completely incorrect** and dangerous - Reconstituted BCG must be discarded after **4 hours** or at the **end of the session**, whichever is earlier - Reusing reconstituted BCG poses serious risks of **bacterial contamination** and **loss of vaccine potency** *Discard the vial in a black coloured bin* - Black bins are used for **general non-hazardous waste**, not for biomedical waste - Vaccine vials must be disposed of as **biomedical waste** in red or yellow bins, not black bins
Question 113: With reference to Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVM) being used on vaccine vials, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It gives information about heat exposure over a period of time 2. It directly indicates vaccine potency Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A. 2 only
- B. Neither 1 nor 2
- C. Both 1 and 2
- D. 1 only (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***1 only*** - **Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVMs)** are designed to show **cumulative heat exposure** over time, indicating whether a vaccine has been stored within an acceptable temperature range throughout its shelf life. - The color change of the VVM helps healthcare workers determine if a vaccine has been exposed to excessive heat, which can compromise its quality. - VVMs are time-temperature indicators that change color progressively based on both duration and degree of heat exposure. *2 only* - VVMs do **not directly measure vaccine potency**. While excessive heat exposure indicated by a VVM can *imply* reduced potency, the VVM itself does not provide a quantitative measure of a vaccine's effectiveness. - Vaccine potency can only be accurately assessed through specific laboratory tests, not by a visual indicator on the vial. - The VVM is an **indirect indicator** of potential potency loss through monitoring storage conditions. *Neither 1 nor 2* - This is incorrect because statement 1 is accurate - VVMs do provide information about cumulative heat exposure over time. - VVMs are crucial tools in cold chain management for monitoring vaccine storage conditions. *Both 1 and 2* - This is incorrect because while VVMs do indicate heat exposure (statement 1 is correct), they do **not directly** indicate vaccine potency (statement 2 is incorrect). - It's important to differentiate between an indicator of proper storage conditions and a direct measure of efficacy.
Question 114: Why is matching done in a case-control study?
- A. To remove the effect of unknown confounders
- B. To remove the effect of known confounders (Correct Answer)
- C. To eliminate selection bias
- D. To eliminate interviewer’s bias
Explanation: ***To remove the effect of known confounders*** - **Matching** in a case-control study helps to control for the influence of specific variables (known confounders) that might otherwise distort the observed association between the exposure and outcome. - By matching cases and controls on characteristics like age, sex, or socioeconomic status, researchers ensure that these factors are similarly distributed in both groups, isolating the effect of the primary exposure. *To remove the effect of unknown confounders* - Matching is effective for **known confounders** that are identified and controlled during study design. - It does not address the impact of **unknown** or unmeasured confounding variables, which can still influence the study's results. *To eliminate selection bias* - **Selection bias** occurs when participants are not representative of the target population; matching primarily addresses confounding, not the initial selection process. - While careful selection is crucial to minimize selection bias, matching itself is more related to controlling for nuisance variables *after* selection. *To eliminate interviewer’s bias* - **Interviewer bias** (or observer bias) arises when the interviewer's expectations or knowledge influence data collection or interpretation. - This type of bias is typically addressed through blinding (e.g., blinded interviewers, participants, or outcome assessors), not through matching study participants.
Question 115: Which of the following vaccines has NOT been introduced in the Universal Immunization Programme in India?
- A. Injectable polio vaccine
- B. MMR vaccine
- C. Cervical cancer vaccine (Correct Answer)
- D. Pentavalent vaccine
Explanation: ***Cervical cancer vaccine (HPV vaccine)*** ✓ **Correct Answer (as of 2017)** - At the time of this examination (UPSC-CMS 2017), the **HPV vaccine** had NOT been introduced into the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in India. - While pilot studies were conducted, nationwide rollout had not occurred. - **Update**: India officially introduced HPV vaccination in the UIP in 2024 for girls aged 9-14 years, but this question reflects the 2017 status. *Injectable polio vaccine (IPV)* - The **Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV)** was introduced into the UIP in **2015** in a phased manner. - IPV was added alongside the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to provide additional protection and prevent **vaccine-derived poliovirus** cases. - Essential for maintaining India's polio-free status achieved in 2014. *MR vaccine (incorrectly listed as MMR)* - India's UIP includes the **MR vaccine (Measles-Rubella)**, NOT MMR. - **Measles vaccine** was part of UIP since its inception; **Rubella** was added in phased campaigns starting 2017. - **Mumps vaccine is NOT part of routine UIP** - it's only available privately. - The option should technically say "MR vaccine" for accuracy, but MMR was listed in the original question. *Pentavalent vaccine* - The **pentavalent vaccine** was introduced in UIP starting **2011** (phased) and nationwide by 2015. - Protects against five diseases: **Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)**. - Replaced the earlier DPT + Hepatitis B + Hib schedule, reducing injection burden.