Which immunization should not be given to hospitalized preterm neonates?

• A. Hepatitis B vaccine
• B. Varicella vaccine
• C. Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine
• D. DTaP

Answer: (C)

Live vaccines are avoided in acutely ill or unstable infants, such as hospitalized preterm neonates. The measles–mumps–rubella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is not given to neonates or during an ongoing hospitalization; it’s scheduled for later, around 12–15 months (and again later in early childhood). Because of its live nature and the need for a stable, older infant, it should not be given in the NICU setting. In contrast, vaccines like Hepatitis B are typically started at birth even for preterm infants when the baby is medically stable, and others are scheduled based on age milestones, so they aren’t administered in the immediate neonatal period for reasons related to timing rather than a live-vaccine contraindication.