The 'Open Vial Policy' in UIP allows multi-dose vials to be reused in subsequent sessions. Which vaccine is the EXCEPTION and must be discarded after the session regardless of remaining doses?

• A BCG vaccine ✓
• B OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine)
• C TT (Tetanus Toxoid)
• D Pentavalent vaccine

Explanation

Under the Open Vial Policy, multi-dose vials of OPV, Pentavalent, PCV, TT, Td, and hepatitis B may be reused for up to 28 days if the cold chain is maintained, the VVM has not reached endpoint, and the vial is uncontaminated. BCG vaccine is the key EXCEPTION — once reconstituted, it must be discarded after 4 hours or at the end of the session. BCG is heat-labile and the preservative-free freeze-dried vaccine cannot be retained once reconstituted.

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.