Safe Transport and Storage of Vaccines
Publish time:2015-04-17 Author:Xin Chaoan Column:Immune methods
Safe transport and storage of vaccines are crucial for successful immunization. Throughout these processes, exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight must be avoided, particularly during hot weather. Vaccines should be stored and transported under low-temperature conditions, though the optimal temperature varies by vaccine type. For example:
- Freeze-dried vaccines and live attenuated vaccines require storage at -20℃ to 0℃.
- Oil-emulsion and aluminum gel adjuvant vaccines should avoid freezing and are best stored at 2℃ to 8℃ — a critical consideration in cold northern regions.
- Cell-associated Marek’s disease vaccines must be stored in liquid nitrogen.
Vaccines should be managed by designated personnel with detailed inventory records to prevent errors. Different types, serotypes, strains, and expiration dates should be stored separately. When used, vaccines with shorter expiration dates should be administered first. Regular checks of refrigerator or cold storage power supply and temperature are essential; a backup power source is highly recommended. If frost or ice buildup occurs in the refrigerator or freezer, defrost promptly to maintain the intended storage temperature. Long-term and high-priority vaccines should be stored separately from commonly used ones, and the number of times the refrigerator door is opened should be minimized — especially in hot weather — to maintain a consistently low temperature environment.
