A cold chain technician notes that the temperature of an ILR storing vaccines has risen to 12 degrees Celsius for 2 hours due to a power failure. Which vaccine is most likely to be damaged by this temperature excursion?
- A OPV ✓
- B BCG
- C Hepatitis B
- D DPT
Correct answer: A. OPV
Explanation
OPV is the most heat-sensitive vaccine in the UIP cold chain and loses potency rapidly with temperature excursions above 8 degrees Celsius. While DPT and Hepatitis B are also heat-sensitive, OPV is the first to be damaged. BCG is also heat-sensitive but is less so than OPV. The question tests knowledge of relative heat sensitivity among UIP vaccines.
Reference: UIP Cold Chain and Vaccine Handling Manual, Government of India, latest ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.