The Open Vial Policy under the Universal Immunization Programme allows a multi-dose vial opened at a session to be reused at subsequent sessions up to 28 days if certain conditions are met. This policy applies to:

• A OPV, DPT, TT/Td and Hepatitis B ✓
• B BCG, Measles and JE vaccines
• C BCG and IPV only
• D All vaccines in the UIP including lyophilized ones

Explanation

The Open Vial Policy applies only to liquid vaccines supplied in multi-dose vials containing preservative: OPV, DPT, TT/Td and Hepatitis B. Reconstituted vaccines such as BCG, measles/MR and JE lack preservatives and carry a high risk of contamination once reconstituted, so they must be discarded within 4 hours of reconstitution regardless of the number of doses left. This distinction between liquid and lyophilized vaccines is the tested concept.

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.