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Janet is in her first trimester of a pregnancy when an outbreak of measles hits the small town where she lives. There are many people living in this town who do not believe in vaccines and among them are her parents.

Janet has learned a lot at nursing school about vaccines and how important they are. She decides that she wants to get the measles vaccine to protect her unborn baby.
What complications could arise in the pregnancy if she does take a measles vaccine?
A.She could herself die of measles
B.She could get the measles rash and feel miserable
C.She could have a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)
D.She could go blind, as one complication of measles is blindness

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The measles vaccine is generally contraindicated during pregnancy due to the theoretical risk to the fetus, but the actual risk is very low. The most related risk would be a miscarriage, particularly if a rubella vaccine is given during the first trimester. Janet should consult her healthcare provider for the safest way to protect herself and her unborn child.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Janet is considering the measles vaccine during her pregnancy, it's important to understand the type of vaccine and the associated risks. Live attenuated vaccines, like the one for measles, are generally contraindicated in pregnancy because of the theoretical risk to the fetus. Although the actual risk is considered very low, there is a concern that the live virus could cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) if a woman is infected with rubella during the first trimester. Despite the low risk, it's a guideline to avoid live vaccines due to the potential for harm to the fetus.

Concerning the options provided in the question, the most relevant and substantiated complication could be a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), especially if the vaccine were rubella and administered in the first trimester. This risk diminishes significantly after the first trimester. However, it's important to note that there is no evidence that receiving the measles vaccine in itself causes measles disease, measles rash, blindness (a complication associated with active measles infection, not vaccination), or death as a consequence of vaccination.

In the context of an outbreak and pregnancy, it is highly advisable for Janet to consult with her healthcare provider for the best course of action to protect herself and the unborn baby safely.