As per the Open Vial Policy under the Universal Immunization Programme, an opened multidose vial may be used for up to 28 days if stored correctly. This policy does NOT apply to which of the following vaccines?

• A Oral polio vaccine
• B Diphtheria pertussis tetanus vaccine
• C BCG vaccine ✓
• D Hepatitis B vaccine

Explanation

The Open Vial Policy applies to liquid, preservative-containing multidose vaccines such as OPV, DPT, TT/Td, and hepatitis C, which may be reused for up to 28 days if aseptic technique was maintained and the vial was properly stored. It excludes freeze-dried (lyophilised) vaccines that require reconstitution, namely BCG, measles-rubella and Japanese encephalitis, because reconstituted vials have no preservative and must be discarded within 4 hours or at the end of the session, whichever is earlier.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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