Get Immunization Notification Form - Porcupine Health Unit

Unpunctured vials may be stored between 8°C and 25°C (46°F and 77°F) for a total of 12 hours prior to first puncture. o Amount of time needed to thaw vaccine varies based on temperature and number of vials.

From the time a vaccine leaves the manufacturer to the time it's administered to a patient, it needs to be kept in ideal and highly specific conditions. For example, Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine needs to be stored at a frigid -70° C.

The cold chain management process includes the storage, packaging, tracking, transportation, customs clearance, product management, and delivery of products safely and securely.

The cold chain is a set of rules and procedures that ensure the proper storage and distribution of vaccines to health services from the national to the local level. The cold chain is interconnected with refrigeration equipment that allows vaccines to be stored at recommended temperatures to maintain their potency.

Temperature Ranges. Refrigerators should maintain temperatures between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F). Freezers should maintain temperatures between -50°C and -15°C (-58°F and +5°F).

Vaccine Storage Equipment Refrigerator unit must maintain temperatures between 36° to 46°F (2° and 8°C) year-round. Freezer unit should maintain temperatures between -58°F and 5°F (-50°C and -15°C).

The cold chain has three main components: transport and storage equipment, trained personnel, and efficient management procedures. All three elements must combine to ensure safe vaccine transport and storage (Fig. 1) (CDC, 2008).

The vast majority of vaccines must be refrigerated at between 2-8⁰C, with a preferred average of 5⁰C with minimal fluctuations.

Pharmaceutical cold chain management requires the conscientious use of specialized machinery and equipment for creating and maintaining low temperatures. The components of the pharmaceutical supply that must be kept cold need uninterrupted low temperatures, from production to patient.