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Vaccine Storage and Handling

Vaccine quality is the shared responsibility of all handlers of vaccines from the time a vaccine is manufactured until it is administered to a patient. Vaccines, like all temperature sensitive medical products, need to be kept at the appropriate temperature range in order to protect our Service members and beneficiaries. According to the CDC, "improper storage is the most common vaccine delivery problem they encounter." Emphasis on the importance of good policies and procedures, frequent and on-going training of staff, proper equipment and maintenance will help all staff provide high quality vaccines and reduce waste caused by improper storage.

Even with proper education and training, vaccine losses continue to occur throughout the Department of Defense (DOD) due to improper storage and handling. Failure to adhere to recommended specifications for storage and handling of immunizations can reduce their potency, resulting in an inadequate immune response and protection of our patients. By understanding and implementing proper storage and handling practices, staff in clinics, patient centered medical homes, and other healthcare locations where immunizations are administered can ensure their critical role in improving and maintaining the health of uniformed Service members and other beneficiaries.

Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines are IAW the DOD Joint Immunization Regulation/Instruction (Immunization and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases- AR 40-562/BUMEDINST 6230.15B/AFI 48-110_IP/CG COMDTINST M6230.4G) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) General Recommendations on Immunization.

Storage and Handling Resources

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Vaccine Bin Label Examples

Publication
3/15/2023

Sample labels for organizing vaccines into bins for proper storage.

Cold Chain Management of Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine

Fact Sheet
1/31/2023

This information paper describes the cold chain management of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine

DHA Form 301: Freezer Temperature Log - Celsius

Form/Template
10/1/2022

Temperature log for freezers storing vaccines, with form for recording vaccine storage troubleshooting.

DHA Form 304: Refrigerator Temperature Log - Fahrenheit

Form/Template
10/1/2022

Temperature log for refrigerators storing vaccines, with form for recording vaccine storage troubleshooting.

DHA Form 302: Freezer Temperature Log - Fahrenheit

Form/Template
10/1/2022

Temperature log for freezers storing vaccines, with form for recording vaccine storage troubleshooting.

DHA Form 303: Refrigerator Temperature Log - Celsius

Form/Template
10/1/2022

Temperature log for refrigerators storing vaccines, with form for recording vaccine storage troubleshooting.

Steps to take for Potentially Compromised Vaccine Event

Form/Template
7/7/2022

Light-Sensitive Vaccines

Publication
7/7/2022

A list of vaccines that need to be protected from light during storage and before administering.

Vaccines with Diluents: How to use them

Fact Sheet
7/7/2022

Be sure to reconstitute the following vaccines correctly before administering them! Reconstitution means that the lyophilized (freezedried) vaccine powder or wafer in one vial must be reconstituted (mixed) with the diluent (liquid) in another.

DHA-IHD Vaccine Storage and Handling Guide

Publication
5/4/2022

For the DoD’s immunization programs to be successful, it is imperative that immunizers store and handle vaccines properly, making sure they are ready for administration whenever our worldwide deployers need them.

Checklist: Best Practices for Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations

Publication
10/20/2021

A step-by-step guide to help clinic supervisors follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Defense (DOD) guidelines while overseeing any nontraditional vaccination clinic setting.

Offsite Clinic FROZEN Vaccine Inventory Issue Return Receipt and Temp Log Celsius

Form/Template
8/4/2021

When transporting vaccine off-site, you must log their storage temperature every hour to ensure they are kept at the required temperature range for the duration of the event.

Offsite Clinic Vaccine Inventory Issue Return Receipt and Temp Log Celsius

Form/Template
8/4/2021

When transporting vaccine off-site, you must log their storage temperature every hour to ensure they are kept at the required temperature range for the duration of the event.

Offsite Clinic Vaccine Inventory Issue Return Receipt and Temp Log Fahrenheit

Form/Template
8/4/2021

When transporting vaccine off-site, you must log their storage temperature every hour to ensure they are kept at the required temperature range for the duration of the event.

Emergency Vaccine Retrieval and Storage Plan Worksheet

Form/Template
3/24/2021
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Last Updated: May 26, 2023
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