Don/'t Be Guilty Of These Errors In Vaccine Storage And Handling
Don’t Be Guilty of These Errors in Vaccine Storage and Handling
The following are frequently reported errors in vaccine storage and handling. Some of these errors are much more serious
than others, but none of them should occur. Be sure your clinic or practice is not making errors such as these.
Error #1: Designating only one person in the office to be
Error #6: Refrigerating vaccine in a manner that could
responsible for storage and handling of vaccines, instead of
jeopardize its quality.
a minimum of two.
The temperature in the vegetable bins, on the floor, next to the
It’s important to train at least one back-up person to learn proper
walls, in the door, and near the cold air outlet from the freezer may
storage and handling of vaccines. The back-up person should be
differ significantly from the temperature in the body of the refrigerator.
familiar with all aspects of vaccine storage and handling, including
Always store vaccines in their original packaging in the body of
knowing how to handle vaccines when they arrive, how to properly
the refrigerator away from these locations. Place vaccine packages in
record refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and what to do in case
such a way that air can circulate around the compartment. Never
of an equipment problem or power outage.
overpack a refrigerator compartment.
Error #7: Storing frozen vaccines in a dorm-style refrigerator.
Error #2: Recording temperatures only once per day.
Temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. Temperatures in the
Varicella, MMRV, and zoster (shingles) vaccines must be stored in a
refrigerator and freezer should be checked at the beginning and end
freezer that has its own external door separate from the refrigerator.
of the day to determine if the unit is getting too cold or too warm.
No matter how hard you try to adjust the temperature in a dorm-
Ideally, you should have continuous thermometers that measure and
style refrigerator’s freezer to +5°F, you won’t be able to reach this
record temperatures all day and all night. A less expensive alternative
low freezer temperature, and you’ll probably freeze
is to purchase maximum/minimum thermometers.
the vaccines in the refrigerator compartment!
Only certified thermometers should be used for
Error #8: Inadvertently leaving the refriger-
vaccine storage. It’s also a good idea to record the
ator or freezer door open or having
room temperature on your temperature log in case
inadequate seals.
there is a problem with the refrigerator or freezer
Temp Log
Remind staff to close the unit doors tightly each time
temperature. This information may be helpful to the
they open them. Also, check the seals on the doors
vaccine company’s telephone consultant in determining
on a regular schedule, and if there is any indication
whether your vaccine can still be used.
the door seal may be cracked or not sealing
properly, have it replaced. The cost of replacing a
Error #3: Recording temperatures for only the
seal is much less than replacing a box of pneumo-
refrigerator or freezer.
coccal conjugate or varicella vaccine.
If your facility administers varicella, MMRV, or zoster
(shingles) vaccine, you should have certified thermom-
Error #9: Discarding multi-dose vials 30 days
eters in both the refrigerator and freezer. Rather than
after they are opened.
buying cheap thermometers that may not accurately
Don’t discard your vaccines prematurely. Almost all
measure the temperature, buy quality thermometers that
multi-dose vials of vaccine contain a preservative and
will last for years.
can be used until the expiration date on the vial
unless there is visible contamination. However, you must discard
Error #4: Documenting out-of-range temperatures on vaccine
multi-dose vials of reconstituted vaccine (e.g., meningococcal
temperature logs but not taking action.
polysaccharide, yellow fever) if they are not used within a defined
Documenting temperatures is not enough. Acting on the information
period after reconstitution. Refer to the vaccine package inserts for
is even more important! So, what should you do? Notify your super-
additional information.
visor whenever you have an out-of-range temperature. Safe-guard
your vaccines by moving them to another location and then deter-
Error #10: Not having emergency plans for a power outage
mine if they are still useable. Check the condition of the unit for prob-
or natural disaster.
lems. Are the seals tight? Is there excessive lint or dust on the coils?
Every clinic should have a written Disaster Recovery Plan that
After you have made the adjustment, document the date, time,
identifies a refrigerator with a back-up generator in which to store
temperature, the nature of the problem, the action you took, and the
vaccine in the event of a power outage or natural disaster. Consider
results of your action. Recheck the temperature every two hours. Call
contacting a local hospital or similar facility to be your back-up
maintenance or a repair person if the temperature is still out of range.
location if you should need it.
Error #5: Discarding temperature logs at the end of every month.
Error #11: Storing food and drinks in the vaccine refrigerator.
It’s important that you keep your temperature logs for at least three
Frequent opening of the refrigerator door to retrieve food items can
years. As the refrigerator ages, you can track recurring problems. If
adversely affect the internal temperature of the unit and damage
out-of-range temperatures have been documented, you can
vaccines.
determine how long this has been happening and take appropriate
action. It’s also a great way to lobby for a new refrigerator.
Technical content reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2008.
www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3036.pdf • Item #P3036 (6/08)
Immunization Action Coalition • 1573 Selby Ave. • St. Paul, MN 55104 • (651) 647-9009 • www.immunize.org • www.vaccineinformation.org
