Which of the following vaccines is freeze-sensitive and must NOT be stored at temperatures below 0°C under the cold chain?

• A Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
• B Measles/MR vaccine (lyophilized)
• C DPT vaccine ✓
• D Rotavirus vaccine

Explanation

DPT (and other aluminium-adjuvanted vaccines like TT, Hepatitis B, Pentavalent, PCV) are freeze-sensitive. Freezing destroys the aluminium adjuvant matrix, causing irreversible loss of potency. These vaccines must be stored at 2-8°C, never frozen. OPV is stored at -20°C (frozen). Measles/MR (lyophilized) can be stored frozen at -20°C or at 2-8°C. Rotavirus vaccine is stored at 2-8°C but is not freeze-damaged in the same way as adjuvanted 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.