What is the main benefit of a single-dose vial?

A single-dose vial is designed to hold a quantity of medication intended for one-time use, which significantly minimizes the risk of contamination. Since the vial is used only once, it prevents the exposure of the medication to multiple patients and reduces the likelihood of transferring pathogens through multiple accesses. This is particularly important in healthcare settings where infection control is paramount.

In contrast, options such as cost efficiency for long-term use and versatility for administering to multiple patients do not align with the purpose of single-dose vials, which are not meant for repeated use or serving multiple individuals. Similarly, while some medications may have a long shelf life, this characteristic does not define the primary benefit of single-dose vials, as their main advantage is focused on safety and sterility rather than longevity or cost.