If a vaccine dose is missed on a catch-up immunization plan, what is the recommended action?

• A. Resume the vaccine schedule as soon as feasible; do not restart; complete the missed dose according to the catch-up chart.
• B. Restart the entire vaccination series from the beginning.
• C. Cancel the missed dose and wait until the next well visit.
• D. Double-dose the next dose to compensate.

Answer: (A)

When a dose is missed, the best approach is to pick up where you left off and give the missed dose as soon as feasible, then follow the rest of the schedule according to the catch-up chart. This keeps the child on track to complete the series without unnecessarily restarting. The catch-up plan provides the exact timing and order for doses after a lapse, ensuring the immune response is properly built with the same antigens and intervals as the regular schedule.

Cancelling the missed dose or waiting for the next well visit risks losing protection during a potentially long gap. Restarting the entire series isn’t required because prior doses still contribute to protection, and the catch-up chart is designed to incorporate a missed dose without starting over. Doubling the next dose isn’t appropriate; doses should be given per the recommended intervals, not as a higher dose.