What is Cold Chain?
The "Cold chain" is the system of transporting and storing vaccines within the safe temperature range of 2ºC to 8ºC. Two essential elements of the cold chain system that ensure vaccine recipients receive potent vaccines are:
- vaccine storage and distribution; and
- transporting and monitoring of vaccines
Why is Cold Chain important in General Practice?
Vaccines are delicate biological substances that can become less effective or destroyed if they are frozen, allowed to get too hot, or exposed to direct sunlight or fluorescent light. Anyone handling vaccines is responsible for their potency at each step in transport, storage and administration of vaccines, this is why the Division spends time educating GPs and practice staff on cold chain maintenance and offers a monitoring service to practices.
How do I monitor vaccine fridge temperatures?
General Practices must have a designated vaccine fridge with a calibrated thermometer for the safe storage of vaccines. The thermometer probe is best placed to sit in a vaccine box stored in the middle of the fridge. The thermometer must be read and recorded at the same time everyday. It is best to record this reading each morning and you must remember to re-set the thermometer reading each day! The following charts can be printed off to record the fridge temperature (twice daily is best practice!)
Vaccine Fridge Temperature Record Chart – Once Daily
Vaccine Fridge Temperature Record Chart – Twice Daily
Cold Chain Resources
- National Vaccine Storage Guidelines “Strive for Five"
- Basic Principles of Vaccine Storage Management
- Cold Chain Checklist
- Cold Chain Checklist
- Cold Chain self audit form
- Packing a Vaccine Fridge
- Purpose Built Vaccine Fridge Information (Manufactures of vaccine fridges etc)
- Information for Patients on Transporting Vaccines
- Vaccine Fridge Temperature Record Chart – Once Daily
- Vaccine Fridge Temperature Record Chart – Twice Daily
If you would like cold chain support please contact the Practice Support Team.
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