If vaccines are not stored under appropriate conditions, they may lose potency or become inactivated, meaning the vaccine will not provide optimal protection from preventable disease.
In June 2012, the office of Health and Human Services released a report titled Vaccines for Children: Vulnerabilities in Vaccine Management. This report highlighted the pressing issues around the improper storage and handling of vaccines. During a 2 week period, 76% of the 45 selected providers had vaccines exposed to inappropriate temperatures for at least 5 cumulative hours during that period. The Department of Health & Human Services urged the CDC to take action and the first CDC Vaccine storage and handling toolkit was created. The toolkit was last updated in June 2016 & provides information and resources to assist you in properly storing and handling your vaccine supply.
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) released a Statement on Vaccine Storage and Management late last year. The statement was approved by AIM members a few months ago. The statement stresses that the effectiveness of vaccines is highly dependent on storage and handling throughout the entire cold-chain (manufacturing to administration of the vaccine).
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) offered a statement to summarize the organization’s position on the proper storage, handling and management of vaccines. The statement includes the following topics:
- Temperature monitoring
- Practice guidelines and policy formation
- Vaccine storage equipment
- Temperature Excursions
- CDC policy
Investing in reliable temperature monitoring, inventory management, policies and procedures, and proper equipment reduces the risk associated with improper storage conditions. A well-trained staff plays a major role in these efforts. Clear and concise guidance for the storage and handling of vaccines assures that providers operate efficiently and effectively and that patients are protected from vaccine preventable disease.
The Association of Immunization Managers was created in 1999 to enable immunization managers to work together to effectively prevent and control vaccine-preventable diseases and improve immunization coverage in the United States and its territories. As a proud AIM alliance member,Helmer shares the goal of helping enhance vaccine storage across the country.
For more resouces on safe and relibable vaccine storage equipment download our Ultimate Guide to Vaccine Storage
