Vaccines need to be stored within the temperature range specified for the product. A temperature outside of this range can result in degradation of a vaccine, which can result in an immunization failure.
Settings for failure to maintain an appropriate temperature:
(1) transportation
(2) storage
(3) handling in the clinic
Concerns during transportation:
(1) freezing, especially during winter
(2) overheating, especially during summer
(3) freezing from improper contact with ice inside the transport container. Dry ice should be avoided.
A transport container should be insulated to avoid wide shifts in temperature. It should be one approved for vaccine transport; a food or beverage cooler is inadequate. The product should also have a means of detecting a failure in temperature control.
Storage is in a refrigerator or freezer depending on the storage requirements.
(1) The refrigerator/freezer should be pharmacy or laboratory grade.
(2) The electrical circuit for the refrigerator should have clean power with emergency backup.
(3) The electrical circuit should not be overloaded.
(4) There should be a means of continuously recording temperature.
(5) The thermocouple for monitoring temperature should be placed inside a suitable liquid that approximates a vaccine container. This is to avoid measuring transient swings in temperature caused by opening the refrigerator door.
(6) The refrigerator should have an alarm that is monitored in case temperatures are out of range.
(7) The doors should be securely closed with intact seals.
(8) The circuit breaker to the unit should be clearly labelled in the breaker box.
(9) The electrical plug should be secured to avoid accidental removal. There should be a sign stating that the unit should not be unplugged.
(10) The electrical circuit should not have a switch which could accidentally flipped off.
Handling the vaccine basically involves minimizing the time that the vial is out of the refrigerator and not placing in a place of heat (direct sunlight, heater, heat lamp, etc) or cold.
