Magnet: Multi-dose Open Vial Policy for WHO prequalified vaccines

In light of the limited global supply of the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), the PAHO Immunization Unit wanted to find ways to help countries strengthen compliance with the Multi-dose Open Vial Policy of the World Health Organization (WHO).

For this reason, a large magnet was designed that can be placed on the refrigerators of the vaccination centers.

The material highlights the recommended time a multi-dose vial should be used according to the type of vaccine:

• Liquid vaccines up to 28 days after opening the vial: IPV, bOPV, DPT, TT, DT, Td, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Varicela (verify presentation/provider), and liquid forms of the Hib vaccine.
• Lyophilized vaccines up to 6 hours after they are reconstituted: BCG, MR, MMR, Yellow Fever, Varicela (verify presentation/provider), and lyophilized forms of Hib vaccine.

During the weekend or in preparation for an electricity outage, emergency, or another event that could affect the cold chain storage, you should:

• Adequately prepare cold-packs and put them in thermos
• Pack and store the vaccines in the thermos
• Put a thermometer in the thermos
• Place the thermos in the refrigerator.