Vaccines: Recs/Interim Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance

Vaccines: Recs/Interim Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance

Recommendations and Guidelines

Interim Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance

The Interim Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance is a brief summary of changes in recommendations for vaccine storage and handling equipment. This guidance is intended for use by all public and private sector providers.

Note: Several important changes have been made to previous recommendations issued by CDC, including:

1. Use of a biosafe glycol-encased probe or a similar temperature buffered probe rather than measurement of ambient air temperatures, and;
2. Use of digital data loggers with detachable probes that record and store temperature information at frequent programmable intervals for 24 hour temperature monitoring rather than non-continuous temperature monitoring, and;
3. Use of stand-alone refrigerator and stand-alone freezer units suitable for vaccine storage rather than combination (refrigerator+freezer) or other units not designed for storing fragile biologics, such as vaccines, and;
4. Discontinuing use of dorm-style or bar-style refrigerator/freezers for ANY vaccine storage, even temporary storage, and;
5. Weekly review of vaccine expiration dates and rotation of vaccine stock.

Use this link to view or print the Interim Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance [PDF-153KB - 5 pages].