Module 9: Vaccine Cold Chain and Data logging

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this module, participants will:

  1. Understand why it is important to monitor vaccine cold chain
  2. Have the ability to implement some strategies which opitmise the cold chain
  3. Have knowledge of what action to take if the cold chain has been breached

Cold Chain

Vaccinations not only protect individuals but also others in the community by increasing the general level of immunity and minimising the spread of infection.  It is vital that healthcare professionals take every available opportunity to vaccinate children and adults.  The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008

Access to the electronic version of the 9th edition of The Australian Immunisation Handbook can be accessed by the following link immunise.health.gov.au

What is the cold chain?


The cold chain is the system of transporting and storing vaccines within the temperature range of +2 to +8 degrees celsius from the place of manufacture to the point of administration. (The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008)







Why is maintaining the cold chain important?

  • To avoid administering compromised vaccine
  • Ensures best practice for patient immunisation of vaccine preventable diseases
  • Reducing risk of wastage

Cold Chain breaches

If vaccines are exposed to temperatures below +2 degrees or above +8 degrees Celsius

  • Do not use until obtaining further advice
  • Do not discard the vaccines until obtaining further advice
  • Isolate  under cold chain conditions until  further action is advised by the Vaccine Centre

Steps for optimal storage of vaccines


All immunisation service providers should adhere to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines:  Strive for 5  www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/provider-store


The 9th Edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook promotes the following activities to ensure optimal storage of vaccines:

  • Designate one staff member as the primary administrator to monitor vaccine temperature
  • Designate a back up monitor of vaccine temperature to take responsibility for vaccines in the absence of the primary administrator
  • Develop a written Vaccine management policy and protocol
  • Monitor and record daily minimum / maximum temperatures
  • Maintain refrigerator temperatures between +2 degrees Celsius and +8 degrees Celsius
  • Using a purpose built vaccine refrigerator for the purpose of storing vaccines is best practice but if using a domestic refrigerator ensure a Celsius digital minimum / maximum thermometer is used correctly and recorded.
For detailed guidelines on vaccine storage and infrastructure setting click on the above link.

Transporting vaccines and maintaining the cold chain.


Sometimes vaccines have to be transported to outreach services.  It is particularly important to maintain the cold chain and the powerpoint at the end of this model will help guide you through the issues around cooler packing and the optimum way of packing vaccines to ensure vaccines are not compromised during transportation.  

Data Logging

Some providers of immunisation programs have special purpose vaccine storage fridges which monitor and record temperature variations. 
If your program or service does not have a special purpose vaccine fridge you are probably using a domestic fridge. 
To ensure the fridge temperature is consistently maintaining a range between + 2 degree Celsius and + 8 degree Celsius over a long period of time, small monitoring devices using computer technology called Data loggers are palced into the fridge for a period of time, during which time temperature is recorded and stored within the data logger.  After a pre determined time the data logger can be removed and  stored data can be retrieved.  A report can then be generated on the effectiveness  of your fridge. 
If  you would like more information to data logging contact the Division Contact Us

Authority to immunise


Practice Nurses may administer vaccines following an order of the GP or administer independantly if the nurse has completed the requirements of the Immunisation course conducted by the College of Nursing www.nursing.edu.au


Quick Quiz

Write a short response to each question in the provided answer sheet.
  1. Between  what temperatures should vaccines be stored?
  2. Why is it important to  maintain the National Vaccine  Storage Guidelines?
  3. What should you do after a cold chain breach?

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