In India's Universal Immunization Programme cold chain system, which vaccine must be stored in the deep freezer compartment rather than the ice-lined refrigerator?
- A Measles-Rubella vaccine
- B Oral poliovirus vaccine ✓
- C Pentavalent vaccine
- D Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine
Correct answer: B. Oral poliovirus vaccine
Explanation
OPV is the only UIP vaccine stored in the deep freezer at minus 15 to minus 25 degrees Celsius because it is extremely heat labile. All other vaccines, including MR, BCG and pentavalent, are stored in the ILR at plus 2 to plus 8 degrees Celsius. The deep freezer compartment is also used to prepare and hold ice packs, but its vaccine-storing role is reserved for polio vaccine alone.
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.