Cold Chain Management

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.

The ‘cold chain’ is the system of transporting and storing vaccines within a safe temperature range. This temperature range is between 2 and 8 degrees from the place of manufacture to the point of administration ensuring people receive an effective vaccine that has retained its potency and has not been affected by heat or cold.

The National vaccine storage guidelines: Strive for 5 (see link to document below) outlines the basic principles for safe vaccine management, the importance of self auditing, a checklist for safe vaccine handling and storage and advice on management of cold chain problems.

In the event of a cold chain breach the ‘cold chain wastage/incident report form’ (see link to document below) provides you with the correct actions to take and a list of Regional Immunisation Coordinators to contact for advice.
To assist a Practice to manage a cold chain breakdown an action plan has been developed (see link to cold chain break action plan document below). This resource is useful for all Practice staff to use as a guide.
For further information in cold chain management, please contact Denise Puddick at the Division on 9581 3352 or denisep@gpdownsouth.com.au