What vaccination is routinely given postpartum to a nonimmune mother?

What vaccination is routinely given postpartum to a nonimmune mother?

• A. Hepatitis B vaccine
• B. Rubella vaccine (if nonimmune) after delivery
• C. Tdap vaccine
• D. MMR vaccine during pregnancy

Answer: (B)

Vaccinating a nonimmune mother with rubella after delivery protects future pregnancies from congenital rubella syndrome. Rubella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is contraindicated during pregnancy due to fetal risk, so it’s given postpartum to establish immunity before the woman could become pregnant again. After receiving it, she should avoid pregnancy for at least 28 days. Other vaccines listed aren’t routinely given postpartum to nonimmune mothers for this purpose: the Hepatitis B vaccine isn’t a standard postpartum routine for the mother, Tdap is timed during pregnancy to protect the newborn, and MMR is not given during pregnancy (it would be given postpartum if needed). So rubella vaccination after delivery best fits the scenario.

Vaccinating a nonimmune mother with rubella after delivery protects future pregnancies from congenital rubella syndrome. Rubella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is contraindicated during pregnancy due to fetal risk, so it’s given postpartum to establish immunity before the woman could become pregnant again. After receiving it, she should avoid pregnancy for at least 28 days. Other vaccines listed aren’t routinely given postpartum to nonimmune mothers for this purpose: the Hepatitis B vaccine isn’t a standard postpartum routine for the mother, Tdap is timed during pregnancy to protect the newborn, and MMR is not given during pregnancy (it would be given postpartum if needed). So rubella vaccination after delivery best fits the scenario.