Example of live vaccine is - - UPPSC 2023

UPPSC 2023

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2023

Explanation

The Measles vaccine is a classic example of a live attenuated vaccine.
Live attenuated vaccines contain a weakened version of the living virus or bacteria.
This weakened pathogen replicates in the body, mimicking a natural infection and inducing a robust, long-lasting immune response (both cellular and humoral).
A single dose often provides lifelong immunity, though a second dose is recommended to ensure seroconversion in all individuals.

Option B: The Hepatitis B vaccine is not a live vaccine. It is a recombinant subunit vaccine, meaning it is created using only a specific protein (HBsAg) from the virus's surface, not the entire live organism.
Option C: The Rabies vaccine is an inactivated (killed) vaccine. The virus is grown in a lab and then completely inactivated with chemicals so it cannot replicate or cause disease.
Option D: While a live attenuated oral typhoid vaccine exists (Ty21a), there is also a commonly used inactivated injectable polysaccharide vaccine. This ambiguity makes 'Measles vaccine' a more precise and universally correct answer for a live vaccine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification and examples of different types of vaccines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowing vaccine types is critical for patient safety. Live attenuated vaccines are generally contraindicated in immunocompromised individuals (e.g., patients with HIV, undergoing chemotherapy, or on high-dose steroids) and pregnant women because the weakened pathogen could potentially cause disease in a person with a weakened immune system.
Nurses must educate patients about the type of vaccine they are receiving, potential side effects, and the importance of completing the full vaccination schedule, including any necessary booster doses for inactivated or toxoid vaccines.
What if the patient was a 30-year-old pregnant woman needing a vaccine? The nurse would know to avoid the Measles (MMR) vaccine because it is a live vaccine and instead recommend inactivated vaccines like Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) which are safe and recommended during pregnancy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'live vaccine'.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of vaccine classifications.
Mentally review or list the common examples for each vaccine type you know (live, inactivated, subunit, toxoid).
Evaluate each option against the definition of a live vaccine.
Option A (Measles) is a well-known live vaccine. Option B (Hepatitis B) is a subunit vaccine. Option C (Rabies) is an inactivated vaccine. Option D (Typhoid) has both live and inactivated forms, making it a less definitive answer than Measles.
Select the option that is unequivocally a live vaccine, which is the Measles vaccine.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 186-188

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 96-98

E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 2 (pp 421-820 of 840) p. 356-358