Paeds Cases · preventive-and-community-paediatrics
Immunisation principles OSCE — well-child multi-antigen visit and schedule reasoning
Observed structured encounter testing immunisation status reconciliation, valid-dose decisions, same-day dosing, documentation and principle-level schedule comparison.
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Target exams
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Station objectives
- Reconcile immunisation card and register status. [1] /> [1] />
- Apply valid minimum age/interval thinking. [4] [1] />
- Prefer same-day due antigens when rules allow. [4]
- Explain conjugate versus polysaccharide at infant level if challenged. [1] />
- Document, report and set recall; keep cold-chain and anaphylaxis safety in view. [4] [1] />
Candidate brief
You are the paediatric doctor in a community immunisation clinic. You have 12 minutes for Station A and 8 minutes for Station B. Examiners score safety, validity reasoning and clear family language. [4]
Station A — Two-month multi-antigen visit
Setup: Well 8-week-old; parent asks for vaccines "one at a time each week"; handwritten notes conflict slightly with the register. [4] [1] />
Expected actions:
- Verify identity and reconcile card with register. [1] />
- List antigens due by local schedule principles without inventing brands. [1] />
- Explain same-day dosing reduces missed doses. [4]
- Screen only real deferral reasons; mild snuffles alone usually proceed. [4]
- Confirm bay safety (adrenaline available) and cold-chain-potent stock. [1] />
- Document batch/site/route, report to register, set next recall. [1] />
Station B — Coverage and validity counselling
Setup: Parent heard measles is "gone" so boosters do not matter; also asks why a dose given very early overseas might be repeated. [1] [1] />
Expected actions:
- Explain herd/population protection and measles coverage sensitivity in plain language. [1] [1] />
- Explain invalid early doses may not count and need correctly timed repeats. [1] />
- Avoid hesitancy deep-dive beyond brief, accurate risk framing (sibling topic if entrenched refusal).
- Offer written plan and recall. [4]
Marking anchors
Clear pass: reconciles records, applies validity and same-day principles, keeps safety equipment and documentation explicit, explains population protection without false numbers. [4] [1] [1] />
Borderline: correct labels but still splits visits without reason or counts early doses. [1] />
Fail: no register check; invents foreign calendars; no adrenaline awareness; dismisses measles coverage. [1] /> [1] />
Debrief pearls
- Card + register, not memory. [1] />
- Invalid if too early. [1] />
- Same day is usually safer for completion than serial deferral. [4]
- Shared science across countries; programme shells differ. [1] /> [1] />
References
- [1]Fine P Herd immunity: a rough guide Clin Infect Dis, 2011.PMID 21427399
- [2]Fine PE Herd immunity: history, theory, practice Epidemiol Rev, 1993.PMID 8174658
- [3]Anderson RM Immunisation and herd immunity Lancet, 1990.PMID 1969023
- [4]National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases General recommendations on immunization --- recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) MMWR Recomm Rep, 2011.PMID 21293327