A deep freeze unit at a district vaccine storage hub stores OPV. The technician records a temperature of -23°C inside the deep freezer. Is this temperature acceptable for OPV storage under India's cold chain guidelines?
- A No, deep freezers must maintain -15°C to -20°C ✓
- B Yes, deep freezers must maintain -20°C to -25°C
- C No, OPV must be stored in an ice-lined refrigerator at +2°C to +8°C
- D Yes, any temperature below 0°C is acceptable for OPV
Correct answer: A. No, deep freezers must maintain -15°C to -20°C
Explanation
Under India's cold chain guidelines, OPV is stored in a deep freezer at -15°C to -20°C. B reading of -23°C is outside this range and indicates a temperature excursion requiring action. Option B wrongly widens the acceptable range. Option C confuses deep freezer storage with ILR storage used for most other vaccines.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.