What are the guidelines for storing vaccine during off-site clinics?
It does not matter whether the vaccine is being stored at a traditional office or off-site. Vaccines must be stored at the temperatures recommended by the manufacturers regardless of where they are. Ideally, vaccines should be stored at the recommended temperatures inside a properly functioning storage unit (e.g., refrigerator, freezer, refrigerator/freezer combination) at the off-site clinic. If such a unit is not available and the vaccine must be maintained in an insulated cooler during the off-site clinic, keep the cooler closed as much as possible. A thermometer must be kept in the cooler with the vaccines, and temperatures should be checked and recorded periodically to ensure that the cold chain is not broken. It is recommended that, at a minimum, vaccine temperatures be checked and recorded hourly.
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