Which of the following vaccines in the National Immunisation Schedule is stored at -15°C to -25°C (freezer temperature)?
- A Hepatitis B
- B Pentavalent vaccine
- C Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) ✓
- D Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)
Correct answer: C. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
Explanation
OPV must be stored at −15°C to −25°C (freezer compartment) at all cold chain levels as it is extremely sensitive to heat and can be stored frozen. IPV, Hepatitis B, pentavalent, PCV, and most other vaccines in the UIP are stored at +2°C to +8°C (refrigerator temperature) and must NOT be frozen (freezing damages their adjuvants). Measles/MR vaccine and varicella are also stored frozen.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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