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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 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 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices General Recommendations on Immunization.

Publications

Storage and Handling Resources

FileDate
Offsite Clinic Vaccine Inventory Issue Return Receipt and Temp Log Celsius9/28/2023
Offsite Clinic Vaccine Inventory Issue Return Receipt and Temp Log Fahrenheit9/28/2023
Offsite Clinic FROZEN Vaccine Inventory Issue Return Receipt and Temp Log Celsius9/28/2023
Multidose vaccine vials and beyond-use dates9/26/2023
Vaccine Bin Label Examples9/18/2023
Vaccine Emergency Storage Plan Worksheet8/22/2023
TempTale Specifications and Use8/16/2023
Light-Sensitive Vaccines8/8/2023
Vaccines with Diluents: How to use them8/7/2023
Cold Chain Management of Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine1/31/2023
DHA Form 301: Freezer Temperature Log - Celsius10/1/2022
DHA Form 302: Freezer Temperature Log - Fahrenheit10/1/2022
DHA Form 303: Refrigerator Temperature Log - Celsius10/1/2022
DHA Form 304: Refrigerator Temperature Log - Fahrenheit10/1/2022
Steps to take for Potentially Compromised Vaccine Event7/7/2022
DHA-IHD Vaccine Storage and Handling Guide5/4/2022
Checklist: Best Practices for Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations10/20/2021
Digital Data Logger Calibration with the Ice Melting Point Validation Method9/1/2021
Do Not Unplug Signs8/12/2019
Storage Unit Sticker Template8/12/2019
Freezer Setup for Vaccine Storage8/12/2019
Refrigerator Setup for Vaccine Storage8/12/2019
Safeguard Your Power Supply8/12/2019

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Fact Sheet
Aug 7, 2023

Vaccines with Diluents: How to use them

.PDF | 249.63 KB

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.

Recommended Content Vaccine Storage and Handling
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Last Updated: August 17, 2023
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