At a regional vaccine store in the cold chain system, which of the following should be stored in the deep freezer rather than the ice-lined refrigerator?
- A Oral poliovirus vaccine ✓
- B BCG vaccine
- C Measles-Rubella vaccine
- D Pentavalent vaccine
Correct answer: A. Oral poliovirus vaccine
Explanation
OPV is heat labile and is stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius in the deep freezer at regional, state and district vaccine stores. All other UIP vaccines including MR, BCG, pentavalent, DPT, TT and hepatitis B are stored at plus 2 to plus 8 degrees Celsius in the ILR. Ice packs are also frozen in the deep freezer. Note that short accidental exposure of OPV to freezing is harmless, unlike adsorbed vaccines.
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.