The 'shake test' performed during cold chain management is used to detect which of the following?

• A Bacterial contamination of opened multi-dose vials
• B Whether reconstituted vaccines have exceeded the 4-hour discard time
• C The potency of live attenuated vaccines after cold chain breach
• D Whether an adsorbed vaccine (such as DPT or TT) has been frozen and damaged ✓

Explanation

The shake test detects whether adsorbed vaccines (DPT, TT, Hepatitis D, PCV) have been frozen. Freezing causes the alum adjuvant to form clumps that settle and do not resuspend uniformly. A frozen vial shows distinct granular sediment that settles quickly compared to an unfrozen control vial. It does not detect contamination or potency of live 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.