A health worker opens a vial of OPV and uses it to vaccinate children at a session. At the end of the session, 4 doses remain unused. According to the Open Vial Policy (OVP) under UIP India, what should be done with the remaining doses?

• A Discard the vial immediately
• B Return to cold storage and use at next session only if within 4 weeks of manufacture
• C Use only within the same session; discard at session end regardless
• D Return to cold storage and use within 28 days if VVM has not changed and cap is intact ✓

Explanation

Under India's Open Vial Policy, OPV vials that have been opened can be retained and used at subsequent sessions within 28 days of opening, provided the cold chain conditions are maintained (2–8°C), the VVM (Vaccine Vial Monitor) has not reached or passed the discard point, the vial cap is intact, and there is no visible contamination. OPV is eligible for OVP; in contrast, measles, BCG, and reconstituted vaccines must be discarded at the end of the session.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.