In an effort to mitigate vaccine wastage and maintain vaccine stability, ensure designated staff:
Fridge Temperature Excursions and Other Emergencies
- Promptly report all power failures, excursions or problems with the fridge/thermometers to the VPD program in order to determine next steps related to vaccine stability
- Quarantine the affected vaccine while keeping under cold chain
- Do not assume the vaccine is no longer stable and cannot be used
- Do not administer vaccines until further direction is given by Public Health
- If the thermometer displays LL.L, this is a malfunction and should be reported to Public Health
- Carefully document any circumstances of an excursion (including temperatures and time) to ensure the VPD program has the information required to determine ongoing vaccine stability
- Record current, minimum and maximum fridge temperatures (not alarm limits “LO” and “HI”) twice daily in the temperature log book
- Print clearly using a blue or black ink pen
- Include the time of the recordings and the initials of the person who recorded the temperatures
- Clear the minimum and maximum temperatures after each recording
- Print clinic name clearly at the top of each temperature log page
- Procedures to manage a cold chain excursion may differ depending on whether inventory includes COVID-19 vaccine
Cold Chain Reminders
- Continue to fax (905-688-4667) a current 4-week temperature log into the VPD program with every vaccine order and with all out-of-range temperatures
- Keep the vaccine fridge temperatures between +2.0°C and +8.0°C
- Routinely change
thermometer batteries every 4 – 6 months and note this battery change on the temperature log for easy reference
- Changing the battery frequently reverts the thermometer to the “IN” position. Make sure your thermometer is in the “OUT” position for accurate readings.
- If your thermometer needs replacement, contact the VPD program
- If a patient is picking up fee-for-service vaccine and transporting from a pharmacy, ensure cold chain was maintained prior to administration
Vaccine Storage
- When storing publicly-funded vaccine
- Have a contingency plan in place for equipment malfunction, power outage or other emergencies and follow this plan in the event of a situation
- Notify the VPD program and wait for direction prior to administering any vaccine
- Maintain no more than a one-month supply of
vaccine
- Use shorter-dated vaccine products of the same type first
- Keep vaccine products in their original packaging at all times; including when returning any expired/wasted vaccine to Public Health
- When storing COVID-19 vaccine
- Immediately contact the VPD program in the event of a power failure or other emergency and do not transport the vaccine
- Quarantine the affected vaccine while keeping under cold chain
- COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are very fragile. Ensure careful handling of vials and syringes before and after dilution.
- It is not recommended that COVID-19 vaccine be moved once in the thawed state
Resources to Help You Store and Handle Vaccines
Safely
Bookmark Public Health’s Immunization, Vaccine for Health Professionals webpage for easy access to:
For More Information
Contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays).