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:
- Use of a biosafe glycol-encased probe or a similar temperature buffered probe rather than measurement of ambient air temperatures, and;
- 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;
- 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;
- Discontinuing use of dorm-style or bar-style refrigerator/freezers for ANY vaccine storage, even temporary storage, and;
- 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].
Have questions? See the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions, Interim Guidelines for Vaccine Storage and Handling [PDF-169KB - 7 pages].
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This page last modified on October 10, 2012
Content last reviewed on Octboer 4, 2012
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases