Important Tips For Proper Refrigeration of Vaccines

Medical needs are constantly changing. One constant however is the safe storage of vaccines. These life-saving drugs need to be stored at temperatures that remain at a constant. Laboratory refrigerators help store vaccines safely as well as in an absolutely hygienic environment.

Vaccine refrigerators are important because they are capable of precise temperature control. They also maintain humidity at the required levels. Refrigerators with stainless steel interiors and ducts help in the proper circulation of air that has been temperature controlled. Recent models of vaccine refrigerators also come today with an in-built panel of vaccine freezers. These can be customized to suit your needs. These vaccine refrigerators should have the capacity to store a large consignment of vaccine.

Temperatures are ideally maintained between 2-8 degree Celsius, or 35-46 degree Fahrenheit. Even the smallest of temperature differences can end up with the vaccine losing its potency.

Depending on the needs of your laboratory, vaccine refrigerators are available where there is digital temperature and status display. This allows those in the laboratory to keep a constant watch on the cooling system and react quickly in the case of a system failure. Vaccine refrigerators today come with WIFI wireless data transmitter that allows for constant updating of records and aids in remote operations.

Temperature monitoring is an important aspect of vaccine refrigerators. The CDC prescribes the need for continuous and calibrated recorders of temperature for such laboratory refrigerators. The advantages of this is that it prevents losing injections due to improper storage. This could lead to further complications if left undetected and administered to patients.

Vaccine refrigerators are of great importance, but they also require to be monitored constantly. There should be a designated person in charge. An equally competent person should be appointed as second-in-charge. An inventory log of the vaccines has to be maintained. This should include details such as the manufacturers’ name, the date received, the expiration date.

Having a separate freezer section is also necessary to prevent any cross contamination or damage to the vaccines. Keeping a thermometer inside the fridge to constantly monitor temperature levels is also necessary. Having a protocol in place to handle the situation in the case of a temperature outage is necessary. The entire laboratory team should be well aware of the procedures involved.

Certain considerations have to kept in mind to get the best use of your vaccine refrigerators. For starters a vaccine refrigerator has to be placed where there is proper ventilation. Vaccines have to be stored in their original packaging between 2 and 8 degree Celsius. All suggestions made by the manufacturer have to be followed to the T. The vaccines have to be stored in such as way so that the most recent deliveries are right at the back. This allows for proper rotation of vaccines. Ensure that the vaccine packs are not leaning against the sides or the back of the refrigerator. The thermometer for checking the temperature has to be placed in the middle of the fridge. Digital thermometers are more accurate.

Vaccine refrigerators are of vital importance. Their selection and proper use is all that is needed to make sure you have a viable supply of vaccines.