Proper vaccine storage and handling is critical in maintaining their efficacy and eliminating unnecessary waste. Should the potency of a vaccine be reduced due to improper storage and handling, it may result in inadequate immune responses, as well as poor protection against disease. In addition, you may incur financial losses as the vaccines will need to be disposed of and reordered.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a comprehensive Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit with best practices based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), vaccine manufacturers’ product information, and studies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). CDC encourages immunization providers to move toward implementing these best practices and recommendations as soon as possible.

A few of the key topics included in the toolkit are:

• Vaccine Cold Chain
• Storage and Handling Plans
• Vaccine Storage Equipment
• Vaccine Deliveries

To read the toolkit in full, click here.