A mass vaccination effort can save several lives. However, what if vaccines themselves lose their potency? Vaccines can provide protection against diseases only if they are delivered safely. However, overexposure to cold, light & heat compromises the quality of vaccines. Even the overall effectiveness of vaccines getsharmed,d which leads to wastage & financial losses. Here the role of cold chains comes into existence!
Vaccine temperature monitoring is vital when it comes to storing any vaccine in a vaccine carrier cold chain box. Storing the vaccine duly protects its ultimate energy. Nobody wants a vaccine that doesn’t have the full capability to fight the pandemic. Isn’t it?
More than 30% of vaccine deliveries get damaged when they reach the destination, according to a study of the global pharmaceutical logistics delivery market. So, the safety of the vaccines becomes more important while transporting them as they need to be at a particular temperature all the time. COVID- 19 was rampant far and wide and again coming in that way in a demitasse. So, its important now further than ever to make sure that all vaccines are in their correct temperature state.
In this article, you’ll get to know everything about the significance of cold chains in temperature monitoring during the storage of vaccines, from what temperature should be stored to how long vaccines should be stored.
So, here we go!
Importance of Vaccine cold chain, freezers, and refrigerators to monitor Temperature during the storage of the vaccine
To practice safe vaccine temperature monitoring it is best to have the proper freezer and refrigerator or a vaccine carrier box. Having the right freezer or carrier boxes are important to keep costly vaccines safe. Vaccines must be stored at a specific temperature at all times. Freeze monitors must be used in every vaccine fridge that stores freeze-sensitive vaccines. They can be stored in the coldest part of the fridge where freeze-sensitive vaccines are stored.
Vaccines are kept in a cold storage unit or in a vaccine carrier cold chain box at the manufacturing facility at the initial stage. During transportation, vaccines are stored in a specially equipped cold storage truck where it is stored in refrigeration or cold chain units at their final destination. Not only heat is the enemy of vaccines, but intense light and excessive cold may also reduce the potency of the vaccine. So it is vital to give the exact temperature to the vaccine which it needs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that units should have stand-alone freezers and refrigerators for those who do not have freezers. It is beneficial to have a stand-alone freezer and the refrigerator separate because it maintains the temperature more efficiently.
It is good for the vaccines to be stored separately and not in a combination unit so there is no chance of the vaccine having exposure.
Vaccine Handling and Storage
Vaccines need extreme care so all healthcare facilities must have written procedures for routine storage and also for emergencies such as natural disasters, power failures, etc. Cold chains play a significant role in storing and handling of vaccines.
Pharmaceutical companies must create an emergency plan on how to store vaccines and the healthcare staff must receive training for the following situations:
- Accepting deliveries and ordering vaccine drugs
- The complete procedures for storing vaccines
- Maintaining the vaccine stock levels
- Protocols for the disposal
- Handling of compromised vaccines
- Protocols in case of emergency vaccine storage
- Purchasing the correct storage units
- Examine the appropriate storage temperatures of vaccines
- How to appropriately use temperature monitoring equipment
- If vaccines need to relocate in an emergency, the units should have extra supplies of cold packs and coolers
- Vaccine inventories should be there. Stock cards should be kept for all vaccines with their respective diluents. Vaccines and their respective diluents are supplied in pairs and should therefore balance.
The information that must be there on the card is – Type of vaccine, Vaccine presentation, Quantity received, Vaccine manufacturer, Manufacturing batch or lot number, Expiry date of each vaccine batch, and Location in store if applicable.
Natural disasters and power outages are not the only ways vaccines may become compromised. Leaving vaccines unrefrigerated for some time may have a crucial effect on thepotency and safety of the vaccine.
On the other hand, storing vaccines at the wrong temperature can make vaccines a waste whether it is because of equipment failure or human error. For this reason, all staff members including security and custodial staff must be well-trained in proper procedures for vaccine storage during natural disasters and power outages.
Why are Cold Chains and Temperature Mapping vital?
Cold chains and their effective functioning are quite essential. For a pharmaceutical company, it’s veritably important to do temperature mapping. This helps prevent the selling of any ineffective medicines. Different vaccines need to be at different temperatures so that they can work effectively. These temperatures can range from 67 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. If any product of vaccine ends up getting too hot or too cold it can alter its chemical properties. This is why temperature mapping is vital when it comes to the storage of the vaccine. The room temperature should range from 20- 25 degrees Celsius and the cool storehouse between 8- 15C.
The refrigerated storage temperature of the majority of vaccines is between 2- 8 degrees Celsius and the freezer storage is between -25-10C. The drug authority of India is responsible for labeling products that need to be in a cool and dry place or a dark place down from light. All pharmaceutical companies must complete temperature mapping on a harmonious basis by independent agents.
Vaccine Temperature Monitoring Recommendations in Cold Chains
The best way to examine vaccine temperatures is with a temperature monitor device (TMD). All vaccine storehouse units should have these devices there. It’s important to invest in these devices as it’ll be more cost-effective than having to replace expiring vaccines because of inaccurate storehouse temperatures. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests that all storehouse units should have a certain type of TMD. This type of TMD is known as a digital data locker.
The TMD will come up with the most accurate results of the temperature in the storehouse unit. It provides full information on how long the storehouse unit is outside of the correct storehouse temperature.
Temperatures need to be checked and recorded twice daily at the start and end of the working day. And this record should be posted on the fridge door. The digital data jack’s temperature data is downloadable to specific software. Pharmaceutical companies should have kept all data records for at least 3 years.
The features of TMD include a divisible inquiry tool, an alarm for out-of-range temperatures, a low battery gauge, a logging interval, and a Certificate of Calibration Testing.
There’s always a supply of TMD backups in case any of the devices break.
Why are cold chains significant and which platform is trustable for the safety of vaccines?
Vaccines are also in need now as the pandemic period approaches, so it is important to know how vaccine temperature monitoring works. When it comes to the safety of healthcare products, one doesn’t want to compromise. Delivering vaccines isn’t an easy task. Majority of people and associations are involved in this delivering of vaccines procedure around the world. It takes a strong chain to store, manage, and transport life-saving vaccines to different parts of the world with ease.
Corona pandemic vaccines are being transported to different countries to save the world from the coronavirus pandemic. For effective & result-oriented process, the cold chains are required to play the necessary role.
Also read: Choose the Right Material for Sealing at Cryogenic Temperatures