During a morning outreach session, a vial of measles-rubella vaccine is reconstituted with its diluent. By mid-afternoon some reconstituted vaccine remains. What is the correct handling of leftover reconstituted vaccine?
- A Discard it 4 hours after reconstitution or at the end of the session, whichever is earlier ✓
- B Store it in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours if it looks clear
- C Keep it in the vaccine carrier and finish it at the next day's session
- D Freeze it immediately so it can be reused at the next session
Correct answer: A. Discard it 4 hours after reconstitution or at the end of the session, whichever is earlier
Explanation
Once reconstituted, live vaccines such as BCG, measles-rubella and JE lose potency rapidly when exposed to heat and light, and the supplied diluents contain no preservative, so bacterial contamination becomes a serious hazard. Programme policy mandates discarding reconstituted vials 4 hours after mixing or at the end of the session, whichever comes first. Refrigerating or freezing reconstituted vaccine is prohibited because it masks contamination and does not preserve potency.
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.