Dukoral (wc-rBS) Oral Cholera Vaccine – Shelf Life
Dukoral is a killed whole-cell, recombinant B-subunit (wc-rBS) oral cholera vaccine. Like most inactivated/killed vaccines, its stability and shelf life are dependent on maintaining the cold chain within the manufacturer-specified range.
When stored under the recommended conditions of 2 °C to 8 °C (and protected from light, not frozen), the labeled shelf life of Dukoral is 3 years from the date of manufacture.
Option Analysis
- 3 years: Correct. This is the manufacturer-approved shelf life of Dukoral when stored continuously between 2 °C and 8 °C.
- 5 years: Incorrect. This overstates the approved stability period; no formulation of Dukoral carries a 5-year shelf life under standard cold-chain storage.
- 1 year: Incorrect. This underestimates the vaccine's stability; Dukoral remains potent well beyond one year when properly refrigerated.
- 6 months: Incorrect. This is far shorter than the actual approved shelf life and does not reflect the vaccine's cold-chain stability profile.
Therefore, the correct answer is 3 years.
Important Questions from Infectious Disease Control & Prevention
As per the Open Vial Policy, partially used multidose vials of which of the following vaccines can be used over more than one immunization session?
1. BCG vaccine
2. DPT vaccine
3. Hepatitis B vaccine
4. Measles vaccine
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Consider the following statements regarding dengue virus :
1. It has four distinct serotypes.
2. Infection with any one serotype confers lifelong immunity for that virus serotype.
3. Secondary infection with dengue serotype 2 leads to severe form of dengue.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding dengue :
1. The mosquito becomes infective after an extrinsic incubation period of 8-10 days.
2. Once it becomes infective, the mosquito remains infective for life.
3. The genital tract of the mosquito does not get infected.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements about Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) :
1. It is transmitted by ticks.
2. It was originally called 'pig disease' because of the association with dead pigs.
3. It was first recognized in Karnataka State.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- In countries with low levels of measles transmission, what should be the appropriate age for starting immuni-zation with measles-containing vaccine (MCV)?
