Washington State DOH Immunization Program

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Have a current certificate of calibration for each thermometer used to monitor vaccine storage temperatures. Depending on manufacturer requirements, thermometers must be re -certified either every year or every other year. • Post a temperature log on the vaccine storage unit door or nearby in a readily accessible place. Please use the state program's paper temperature log. ■ Visually review and manually record refrigerator and freezer temperatures twice each day (beginning and end) ensuring that refrigerator temperatures are between 35° and 46° F (2° and 80C), and that freezer temperature are between 5°F and -58°F or lower (between - 15°C and -50°C). ■ Take immediate action to correct improper vaccine storage conditions, including inappropriate exposure to light and inappropriate exposure to storage temperatures outside the recommended ranges. Document actions taken on the temperature adjustment tracking log. Inform your Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ). Maintain an ongoing file of temperature logs, and store completed logs for 6 years. Providers must send copies of completed temperature monitoring logs monthly to the local health jurisdiction via fax or email. • Providers should also send copies of their data logger data to LHJs each month with their paper temperature logs. Failure to comply could result in the discontinuation of the provision of vaccine. Vaccine Preparation ■ Ensure that clinic staff does not pre -draw vaccines into syringes. ■ Draw vaccine only at the time of administration to ensure that the cold chain is maintained and the vaccine is not inappropriately exposed to light. Vaccine Shipments: ■ Ensure that all vaccine shipments are promptly received and stored immediately and report any problems with vaccine shipments immediately to the LHJ. ■ Make sure all staff who receive mail at the provider location know how to handle shipments of vaccine. Vaccine Wastage ■ Implement written procedures for reporting and responding to losses resulting from vaccine expiration, wastage, and compromised cold chain. ■ Notify the local health jurisdiction promptly (within 24 hours) of vaccine incidents where vaccine has been exposed to temperatures above or below the recommended range for vaccine storage. Follow state and LHJ guidance on how to document and report the incident. ■ Bag affected vaccine, mark it do not use, and store it at appropriate temperatures until viability is confirmed by the manufacturer. ■ Create a written report including the reasons for the vaccine loss. Note the measures taken to correct the cause of the loss and to prevent reoccurrence. This report must be submitted to the LHJ. ■ If the vaccine is deemed non-viable, remove wasted/expired vaccine from storage containers with viable vaccine to prevent inadvertent administration. Return all unopened spoiled or expired publicly purchased vaccines following the state returns process, ■ Vaccine losses determined to be the result of negligent vaccine storage and handling practices, or failure to comply with the storage and handling requirements in this agreement may result in corrective action. Corrective action may include restitution for the value of all federal- and state -supplied vaccine loss resulting from the incident. DOH 348-022 revised for 2016 If you have a disability and need this document in a different format, please call 1-800- 525-0127 (TDD/TTY 1-800-833-6388).