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Free Fact Poster
This FREE combo poster/fact sheet is the ideal way to train staff and remind them of the importance of correct vaccine temperatures.
Temperature Control and Monitoring is rarely as crucial as with Vaccines.
Temperature Control and Monitoring is rarely as crucial as with Vaccines.
Vaccines should be stored between 2°C and 8°C (the 'safe zone') to avoid damage. Temperatures above 8°C can cause vaccines to perish, reducing their shelf life. Higher temperatures speed up decay, and if a vaccine freezes, it becomes ineffective.
If stored outside the 2°C to 8°C range, contact the supplier or manufacturer for advice on quality and usability. Logging is crucial to confirm the cold chain is maintained and to monitor the vaccine refrigerator temperature accurately.
Causes of Temperature Variations
Lows - Below 2°C
- The fridge being set too low (call your supplier)
- The compressor locking on (call your supplier)
- Over stocking the fridge
Highs - Above 8°C
- The fridge is set too high (call your supplier)
- The compressor not working (call your supplier)
- The door is not being closed properly
- The fridge is opened too often or for too long
- A large amount of warm stock being loaded
- Poor ventilation around the fridge
Causes of Temperature Variations
Lows - Below 2°C
- The fridge being set too low (call your supplier)
- The compressor locking on (call your supplier)
- Over stocking the fridge
Highs - Above 8°C
- The fridge is set too high (call your supplier)
- The compressor not working (call your supplier)
- The door is not being closed properly
- The fridge is opened too often or for too long
- A large amount of warm stock being loaded
- Poor ventilation around the fridge
“Know your vaccine refrigerator by recording temperatures throughout the refrigerator… The recording device (data logger/thermometer probe) needs to be left in each position for a minimum of 24 hours.”
National Vaccine Storage Guidelines Australian Government
Modern Monitoring
Modern Monitoring
"Most people are familiar with traditional min/max temperature loggers, which should be checked twice a day, and the results stored in a logbook. Manual recording is basic and therefore susceptible to issues like staff errors. this can include things such as forgetting readings or deliberately falsifying results when issues arise problems.
In comparison, temperature loggers offer automatic monitoring, recording temperatures every few minutes, and displaying results on a PC graph. They provide detailed and reliable information. In cases of a problem, they offer crucial details such as when it occurred, duration, and temperature variations. This information is vital for deciding whether to keep or dispose of vaccines."
Vaccine Cold Chain Guidelines
Western Australian Public and Community Health Services
Reasons to Monitor Temperature?
Regardless of the type of fridge you choose, using a temperature logger is a wise practice. It helps ensure consistent temperature maintenance throughout the fridge.
Regardless of the type of fridge you choose, using a temperature logger is a wise practice. It helps ensure consistent temperature maintenance throughout the fridge.
Fridge Failure
If your fridge fails, you must determine when the issue started and its severity, crucial for deciding whether to retain or dispose of stock.
Power Failure
Your fridge can't notify you if it's off, but an independent temperature logger provides real-time information on its status.
Police the Police
Ensure accurate temperature measurement easily with an independent temperature monitoring device inside.
Need Some Advice on Vaccine Temperature?
Talk to one of our friendly experts. With over 15 years of experience with temperature logging, our staff know how to provide you with the right solution for your Vaccine Storage temperature logging needs.