American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

When a vaccine series is interrupted, what is the best approach?

1. Restart the series from the beginning

2. Resume the series at the point of interruption

3. Administer a booster shot

4. Wait 6 months before starting the series again

The correct answer is: Resume the series at the point of interruption

Resuming the vaccine series at the point of interruption is the most appropriate approach when a vaccine series is interrupted. This strategy is based on current vaccination guidelines, which indicate that if a vaccine administration has been delayed, there is no need to restart the entire series. Instead, it is advised to continue from where the vaccination was left off. This approach is encouraged to ensure that individuals receive the full protection intended by the vaccine without unnecessary delays or complications. Restarting the series from the beginning could lead to increased healthcare costs, more visits, and possible delays in achieving immunity. Furthermore, administering a booster shot in place of resuming the series may not provide the necessary immunity if the initial doses were not completed. Lastly, waiting 6 months before starting the series again is not recommended, as it would unnecessarily extend the time before protection is conferred and could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases. In summary, the correct action when a vaccine series is interrupted is to resume vaccination at the point where it was last administered, ensuring that the individual receives timely and appropriate care.