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:

1. Transporting and distributing; and
2. Storage 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, which  is why the Division spends time educating GPs and practice staff on cold chain maintenance and offers a data logging service to practices.

How do I monitor vaccine fridge temperatures?

General Practices must have a designated vaccine fridge (domestic or purpose built) 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 minimum, maximum and current temperature must be checked and recorded, as a minimum, once every day before vaccination commences. Remember to re-set the thermometer reading each day! The following chart can be printed off to record the fridge temperature (Recording the temperature twice daily, in the morning and at the end of the workinh day is best practice!)

Vaccine Fridge Temperature Chart - Twice Daily

Cold Chain Breach - What to do

 A cold chain breachis when vaccines are exposed to temperatures outside the safe range of 2-8C. If this occurs immediately isolate the vaccines in the fridge and label, "Do Not Use". Contact the Public Health Unit on 4221 6700 for advice. Do not discard any vaccines unless directed to do so by the Public Health Unit.

Do not use vaccines exposed to temperatures below +2C or above +8C without obtaining further advice. This excludes excursions up to +12C, lasting no longer than 15 minutes, when stock taking or re-stocking.

Cold Chain Failure Protocols

Cold Chain Resources

1. National Vaccine Storage Guidelines “Strive for Five" 2005
   > Order hard copies at Immunise Australia or contact IDGP Practice Support Team (see contact details below).
2. GPNSW Guide to Vaccine Management Flipchart - Contact IDGP Practice Support Team for copies.
3. KISS Guide to Vaccine Management online version
4. Basic Principles of Vaccine Storage Management
5. Cold Chain self audit form - From "Strive for Five" guidelines.
6. Packing a Domestic Vaccine Fridge 
7. TEST Research Report on Purpose Built Vaccine Fridges - AGPN May 2009.
8. Information for Patients on Transporting Vaccines
9. Choosing a Purpose Built Vaccine Frisge - GPNSW Dec 2011

If you would like your fridge (domestic or purpose built) data logged or any other cold chain support please contact the Practice Support Team on 4220 7600 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it