Cold chain is said to be properly maintained if and only if there is proper temperature monitoring (twice daily monitoring), proper review of vaccine vial monitoring to check exposure of vaccine to heat, undertaking shake test to check exposure of vaccine to freezing temperature, adherence to the first expiry first out ...

Coolant packs (often called ice packs) are flat, square plastic bottles that are filled with water and cooled. They are used to keep vaccines cool inside the vaccine carrier or cold box. The number of coolant packs required for a cold box or vaccine carrier varies ing to the type of cold box or vaccine carriers.

Check the temperature to ensure the vaccines have not been exposed to temperatures above 35°F or below 32°F. Vaccines should remain in the refrigerator until immediately before they are administered. They should be returned to the refrigerator immediately after drawing up each recommended dose.

If a cold chain breach has occurred, report it to Public Health Unit (PHU) immediately on 1300 066 055. Isolate vaccines do not use or discard vaccines until advice is received from the PHU.

Be dedicated to one fridge – there should be a book for each fridge. Vaccines used within general practice should usually be used directly from the refrigerator. protected from light, as exposure to ultraviolet light will cause loss of potency. The original packaging is printed with the expiry dates and batch numbers.

A breakdown in the “Cold Chain” occurs when vaccines are NOT stored between +2˚C and +8˚C. This can be due to delay in refrigerating vaccines once delivered, faulty fridge, electrical power cut, fridge unplugged /switched off, or fridge door left open.

All vaccines are sensitive to heat, cold and light and must be kept at temperatures between +2˚C and +8˚C. Vaccines stored outside this temperature range or exposed to either UV or fluorescent light can result in the loss of potency (see Appendix IV).