At times the risk of adverse effects or lack of efficacy of a vaccine may originate from the vaccine delivery process. Inappropriate storage and handling play a critical role in the continuation of vaccine errors. Apart from increased flawed vaccines, widespread vaccine shortages (including recommended childhood immunizations) have occurred in the past as well. Storage and handling issues pertaining to temperature variations during storage jeopardized vaccine efficacy whether caused by substandard placement, clustering, or transport. This led the CDC to place more stringent protocols including increased documentation within 24 hours, replaced thermometers with 24/7 recording capabilities with certified probes, and banned combined refrigerators. Current information demonstrates improvement with no vaccine scarcity.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/clinical-resources/shortages.html#modalIdString_CDCTable_0

Although temperature regulations have been refined, further storage and handling concerns lie in the hands of those in the industry. Inadequate training of managers, and lack of regular and emergency vaccine management plans have compromised vaccine value. In an effort to better the training of those in the field, the CDC has developed a “Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit” packet, and an interactive module found in the link below:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/index.html

As stated on the CDC’s website this toolkit serves as a guide for:

•Managing vaccine inventory and transport

•Storing and preparing vaccine

•Monitoring vaccine temperature

•Using and maintaining storage unit and temperature monitoring equipment

•Preparing for emergency storage, handling, and transport situations

•Developing standard operating procedures for routine and emergency vaccine management and training staff

Further more, the CDC has provided storage and handling  instructions/recommendation for individual vaccines found in the link below:

http://www.immunize.org/fda/

All in all, improving vaccine storage and handling will benefit the industry, the economy, and overall the patients.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/clinical-resources/shortages.html#modalIdString_CDCTable_0

https://www.pharmacist.com/immunization-experts-focus-issues-vaccine-delivery