A health worker reconstitutes a BCG vaccine vial at 9 AM. By 12 noon, the vial has not been fully used. What is the maximum allowable time for using reconstituted BCG vaccine before discarding it?

• A 24 hours
• B 12 hours
• C 6 hours
• D 4 hours ✓

Explanation

Reconstituted BCG vaccine must be used within 4 hours of reconstitution or by the end of the session, whichever is earlier. BCG is a live attenuated vaccine and is highly sensitive to heat and light, so prolonged exposure after reconstitution risks loss of potency.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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