2. Vaccine storage Vaccine Storage

3. Overview Vaccine Storage Basics Training Maintaining Temperatures
Storage & Handling
Multi-dose Vials

4. Vaccine Storage – The Basics
Designated and trained staff
Adhering to protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures in the practice setting
Maintain vaccine potency and minimize waste

5. Vaccine Storage – The Basics
Maintain required fridge temperatures
Organization and placement of vaccine supply and maintain optimal handling practices
Contingency planning for refrigerator malfunctions and electricity disruptions

6. Designated Staff & Staff Training
Health care providers storing and handling publicly-funded vaccines require knowledge:
Importance of cold chain
How to recognize a cold chain incident
The appropriate action to be taken in the event of a vaccine exposure
Vaccine storage and handling practices

7. Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines
Can be obtained:
Online:
From your local public health unit.

8. Maintaining Potency of Vaccines
Always store between +2 ͦ C and +8 ͦ C
Notify NWHU of vaccine exposures outside recommended storage temps
Avoid freezing of vaccines and diluents
Keep vaccine/diluents under cold chain, remove and prepare right before administration

9. Maintaining Temperatures
Know functions and components of the vaccine refrigerator
Modify, stabilize and maintain temperature between +2 and +8 ͦC
Ensure refrigerator capacity
Keep the door tightly closed and reduce number of openings

10. Maintaining Temperatures
Ensure the refrigerator is optimally placed
Be aware of seasonal variations in room temperature
Perform regular maintenance
Prevent accidental shut off or unplugging

11. Maintaining Temperatures
Fill drawers, lower shelves, and door with water bottles
Keep ice packs in the freezer for use during transport or refrigerator malfunction
Have a contingency plan

12. Storage and Handling Vaccine must be kept secured
Insulated vaccine container(s) with packing material and a temperature monitoring device is on hand

13. Storage and Handling Cold chain materials available:
How to monitor refrigerator temperature magnet
Protect your vaccine, Protect your patients poster
Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines

14. Storage and Handling Store in the middle of internal shelves
Organize vaccine by product, and store in original packaging
Leave space between vaccine products and packages
Check expiry dates regularly – never store expired vaccine
Rotate Stock

15. Storage and Handling
Protect vaccines from sunlight and fluorescent light
Use vaccine previously exposed to a cold chain incident first (if cleared)
Remove vaccine from refrigerator right before immediate use

16. Storage and Handling Never leave vaccine on the counter or floor
Do not store anything other than vaccines and medications that require refrigeration in the vaccine storage unit

17. Multi-dose Vials Mark/date the vial when it was opened
Return unused vaccine to the refrigerator immediately after drawing up the required dose
Aseptic technique for withdrawal of vaccine must be followed at all times
Discard within 30 days or as per the manufacturer’s instructions indicated in the product monograph

18. End slide, to be viewed when closing your presentation.