The 'Open Vial Policy' in the Universal Immunization Programme allows multi-dose vials of certain vaccines to be used in subsequent sessions. Which of the following vaccines is CORRECTLY excluded from the open vial policy and must be discarded at the end of each immunization session?

• A Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
• B Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV)
• C Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis-Hepatitis B-Hib (Pentavalent)
• D Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine ✓

Explanation

Under the UIP open vial policy, OPV, Hepatitis B, and Pentavalent vaccines may be used in subsequent sessions (up to 4 weeks for OPV/HBV/Penta if the vial is intact, cap not submerged in water, and VVM is acceptable). However, vaccines reconstituted from lyophilized powder — MR, MMR, BCG, and JE live attenuated vaccine — must be discarded within a fixed time (30–60 minutes) and NEVER kept for the next session, as contamination risk after reconstitution is high and potency rapidly deteriorates. MR vaccine is therefore excluded from the open vial policy.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.