Immunisation: cold chain: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Immunisation: cold chain

Sample item

Which vaccine pair is freeze-sensitive and must never be frozen?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hepatitis B and pentavalent

Freeze-sensitive vaccines include hepatitis B, DPT, pentavalent, Td, TT and IPV, which lose potency when frozen. A shake test checks for freezing damage. BCG, measles, MR and OPV are heat-sensitive and can be frozen without loss in potency.

Option by option

  • A. Oral polio and measles

    OPV tolerates freezing and measles is heat-sensitive.

  • B. Measles and MR

    Measles and MR can be stored frozen.

  • C. Hepatitis B and pentavalent (correct)

    Correct. Hep B and pentavalent are damaged by freezing.

  • D. BCG and OPV

    BCG and OPV are heat-sensitive and not freeze-sensitive.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Hepatitis B and pentavalent. Freeze-sensitive vaccines include hepatitis B, DPT, pentavalent, Td, TT and IPV, which lose potency when frozen.

Why is "Oral polio and measles" not the answer?

OPV tolerates freezing and measles is heat-sensitive.

Why is "Measles and MR" not the answer?

Measles and MR can be stored frozen.

Why is "BCG and OPV" not the answer?

BCG and OPV are heat-sensitive and not freeze-sensitive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunisation: cold chain in Pediatrics. A shake test checks for freezing damage. BCG, measles, MR and OPV are heat-sensitive and can be frozen without loss in potency.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Immunisation: cold chain?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.