Multi-dose vials are useful and economical when large numbers of patients need to be immunized. These multi-dose vials are invaluable in the National Immunization Programme vaccination days, as they save time and effort and also are economically viable. However, there could be wastage of doses of vaccines, due to uncertainty in knowing the duration of potency and effectiveness of opened vials. Hence, the open vial policy (OVP) that has been introduced by several global and Indian bodies will go a long way in reducing this wastage. The prerequisites of using the opened vials must be strictly implemented. Early audits after implementation have shown a reduction in vaccine wastage and better usage of resources
UNICEF. National cold chain and vaccine management resource centre. A report on assessment of open vial policy implementation in India. Available at https://www.unicef.org/india/media/6671/file/Open%20Vial%20Policy%20report.pdf. Accessed on 28 Dec 2021.
Centers for disease control and prevention. Questions about multi dose vials. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/injectionsafety/providers/provider_faqs_multivials.html. Accessed on 29 Dec 2021.
Ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India. Immunization handbook for health workers. Available at https://www.nhm.tn.gov.in/sites/default/files/documents/ImmuHBforHW2018.pdf. Accessed on 29 Dec 2021.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, (Immunization division). Guidelines on open vial policy for using multi dose vials in Universal Immunization Program. Available at https://dhsfw.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/dirfw_lipl_in_oid_5/menu/document/Open%20Vial%20%20Policy_MoHFW_Sep2015_.pdf. Accessed on 29 Dec 2021
World Health Organization. WHO policy statement: multi dose vial policy (MDVP).Revision 2014. Available at https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/135972/WHO_IVB_14.07_eng.pdf. Accessed 29 Dec 2021.
Patel PB, Rana JJ, Jangid SG, et al. Vaccine wastage assessment after introduction of open vial policy in Surat Municipal Corporation area of India. Int J Health Policy Manag 2016;5(4):233–236. DOI: 10.15171/ijhpm.2015.208
PAHO. Magnet: multi dose open vial policy for WHO pre-qualified vaccines. Available at https://www.paho.org/en/documents/magnet-multi-dose-open-vial-policy-who-prequalified-vaccines. Accessed on Dec 29, 2021.
