Saar Kuzi
Alessandra Coutinho Fernandes
William Cope
Richard Tapping
Kashif Ahmad
Reda Sadki
Shubhra Kanti Karmaker Santu
Adam P Rusch
Elizabeth Edwards
Matthew LawFA16 Immunization Module’s Updates
Vaccine Storage and Handling
The storage and handling of vaccines is of utmost importance. The potency and effectiveness of vaccinations is dependent on proper handling and storage. According to the CDC, storage and handling errors result in revaccination of many patients and significant financial loss due to wasted vaccine every year. The recommended Fahrenheit temperature range is between 36° F and 46°F and any temperatures outside of that range can result in inadequate immune responses in patients and poor protection against disease.
In order to ensure that vaccines are kept at an adequate temperature every step of the way from their manufacture to their administration, the CDC implements what they call the Vaccine Cold Chain. These guidelines are to be followed by all vaccine manufacturers, distributors, and providers.
Any time the Cold Chain is broken, the potency of the vaccine is likely reduced. A single exposure to freezing temperatures ([32° F] or colder) will destroy some vaccines. In particular, liquid vaccines that contain an aluminum adjuvant can permanently lose potency when exposed to freezing temperatures. In addition to temperature, exposure to light can also serve to destroy the potency of some vaccines. It is all the more important to maintain the Cold Chain because there is no way of telling whether a vaccine has been exposed to weakening or destructive factors just by appearance.
Given the widespread prevalence of vaccines globally, it is amazing that proper handling and storage is able to be maintained for the most part. This is especially impressive in areas of the world where electricity, water, and other resources are lacking.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf
I was unaware of how critical it is to maintain the proper temperature of vaccines. With mass production and shipping all over the world, it seems like a daunting task to maintain set temperatures from the time the vaccines leave the lab. I hope there are checks and balances in place to verify the batch potency prior to vaccinating patients.
@Nelson and @Andy - were either of you able to exactly uncover why the vaccines become compromised in the various handling conditions? My guess is improper coagulation, protein denaturation, and UV damage from the different mishandling conditions you listed here.
Hey Nelson! I did my update on vaccine storage and handling as well. I actually inserted the same cold chain flow chart into my update, but I did not go into as much detail as you did in terms of temperature moderation and aluminum adjuvant. Reading your post got me thinking about what kind of guidelines there would be if there was a catastrophic event like a plague or flu, and which people would get vaccinated first. Also, if there was a sudden decrease in the amount of vaccines or the potency of vaccines, how would the CDC respond? Just food for thought. In my update, I mentioned how there are guidelines specifically for vaccination in children since they receive so many shots. I wonder what would happen in situations where there was a very deadly virus and there was a lack of vaccine supply to address the issue. All in all, I think it's cool stuff, and maybe we can touch base if we're supposed to pursue this topic further in the modules!