The influenza vaccination season has commenced. Review and check:
- Do you have a purpose-built vaccine fridge?
- Does it have sufficient capacity for influenza vaccines?
- Has your vaccine fridge been serviced within the last 12 months?
- Is your vaccine fridge data logger set at 5-minute read intervals and functioning inside the fridge? Are you downloading data at least weekly and manually recording twice daily minimum and maximum temperatures?
- Are all staff trained in cold chain management, including receiving vaccine deliveries? Ensure vaccines are immediately placed in vaccine fridge following delivery.
Remember:
- All vaccines must be stored in their original packaging to protect them from temperature fluctuations and UV light.
- Ensure vaccine fridge door is securely closed when not in use.
Complete a vaccine storage self-auditfor each vaccine fridge annually and more frequently if there have been any problems with equipment or cold chain breaches.
Further resources: