MEMO: Minimizing Vaccine Wastage & Submitting Temperature Logs
TO: Health Care Providers Who Order & Store Publicly Funded Vaccine
FROM: Vaccine Preventable Disease Program (VPD)
REFERENCE: Minimizing Vaccine Wastage & Submitting Temperature Logs
DATE: Jan. 9, 2019
Overview
- In 2018 the VPD program filled more than 4,000 vaccine orders, which translates to more than $8,000,000 worth of vaccines
- Unfortunately, vaccine wastage is an ongoing challenge
- Vaccines can lose their effectiveness if they are not stored properly
- Keeping appropriate vaccine storage and handling practices in place will ensure uninterrupted access to publicly funded vaccines
To Minimize Vaccine Wastage
- Be familiar with routine vaccine storage and handling practices
- Maintain the vaccine fridge temperatures between +2.0°C and +8.0°C
- Record the current, maximum and minimum
fridge temperatures twice daily in the temperature log book
- Include the time of the recordings and the initials of the person who recorded the temperatures
- Clear the maximum and minimum temperatures after each recording
- Promptly notify the
VPD program if there are:
- Fridge temperatures less than +2.0˚C or greater than +8.0˚C
- Any fridge and/or thermometer malfunctions
- Maintain no more than a one-month
supply of vaccine
Submitting Temperature Logs
- Include a 4-week temperature log up to, and including, the current date with all vaccine orders
- For facilities
that order vaccine less frequently (i.e. less than monthly):
- Routinely submit a monthly temperature log for review
- Fax your monthly temperature log to the VPD program at 905-688-4667
Resources
For updated information visit www.niagararegion.ca/health/professionals
For further information, please contact Niagara Region Public Health,
Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 1-888-505-6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7425 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.