Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide Immunization Action Coalition
•
www.immunize.org
•
www.vaccineinformation.org
Be sure to check out IAC’s Vaccine Storage Trouble -
shooting Record at
www.immunize.org/catg.d/
p3041.pdf
and Emergency Response Worksheet at
www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3051.pdf
for quick
guidance on what to do
when you discover vaccine
storage outside the recom-
mended temperature range.
If you are told that the vac-
cines should not be used,
use a permanent black
marker to write “nonviable” on the glass or label
and remove them from the refrigerator or freezer so
that they aren’t administered by mistake. Ask your
state health department or manufacturer(s) how you
should dispose of the nonviable vaccine.
Transport vaccines properly
(and only when absolutely necessary)
Vaccine manufacturers generally do not recommend
or provide guidance for transport of vaccines. But
during an emergency, or if you host an offsite vacci-
nation clinic, you may need to transport vaccines
from one place to another. It is critical that you main-
tain and monitor the vaccine cold chain during
t
hese activities. (See special information for frozen
varicella-containing vaccines in the next paragraph.)
You will need at least one insulated container (see
Step 2: Setting Up for Vaccination Services) with a
thermom eter to place near the vaccine. Think of this
container as your clinic’s vaccine storage area in
miniature: you’ll need to monitor it with a temper-
ature log as well, just like you do when in the office.
CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit, avail-
able at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/
toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf
, devotes several
pages to the topic of transporting vaccines.
Transporting frozen varicella-containing
vaccines to an offsite clinic location
Neither CDC nor the vaccine manufacturer recom-
mends transporting frozen varicella-containing
vaccines. But if these vaccines must be moved (for
example, during an emergency), they should be
transported in a portable freezer unit that maintains
the temperature range of -50° to -15°C (-58° to +5°F).
Port able freezer units may be available for rent
in some locations. But if frozen varicella-containing
vaccines must be transported and a portable freezer
unit is not available, do NOT use dry ice, as this
actually could allow the vaccines to become too cold.
This in turn could affect the vial seal and possibly
allow outside air to enter the vial. If frozen varicella-
containing vaccines are transported at refrigerated
temperatures (2° to 8°C [36° to 46°F]), they must be
discarded if they have not been used within 72 hours.
This chapter has covered the basic steps involved in
vaccine storage and handling for adult vaccines. Be
sure you print up the forms, establish policies, and
select someone in your office to be in charge of
vaccines. Now, let’s vaccinate!
step
3
: Vaccine Storage and Handling 35
Neither CDC nor the vaccine manufacturer
recommends transporting frozen varicella-
containing vaccines.
Health Departments
L
ocal Health Department phone State Health Department phone
Follow these procedures:
1
. Close the door tightly.
2.
En s u re t h e v a c c i n e is k e p t a t a p p ro p r i a t e t e m p er a t u r e s . M a ke s u r e t h e r e f ri g -
erator or freezer is plugged in and working properly, or move the vac-
c
ines into proper storage conditions as quickly as possible.
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Emergency Response Worksheet
What to do in case of a power failure or other event that results in vaccine storage outside of the recommended
t
emperature range
Adapted by the Immunization Action Coalition, courtesy of the Michigan Department of Community Health
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