During a review of the vaccine cold chain at a district store under the Universal Immunization Programme, the officer checks temperature requirements for each vaccine. Which vaccine in the Indian schedule must be stored in the deep freezer compartment?

• A Hepatitis B
• B DPT
• C Oral polio vaccine ✓
• D Measles-Rubella (reconstituted)

Explanation

OPV is the most heat-sensitive vaccine in the UIP and is the only one stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius in the deep freezer compartment. All other vaccines, including Hepatitis C, DPT and measles-containing vaccines, are stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius in the ice-lined refrigerator. Reconstituted measles-rubella vaccine must never be frozen and must be discarded within 4 hours of reconstitution. Diluents are also kept in the ILR, never in the freezer.

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.