Daily

• Beginning of the day, check the minimum/maximum/current temperatures on the fridge panel. Record the min/max/current temperatures on the vaccine fridge temperature chart.
• Reset the fridge panel.
• End of the day, check the minimum/maximum/current temperatures on the fridge panel. Record the min/max/current temperatures on the vaccine fridge temperature chart.
• Reset the fridge panel.
• Record any discrepancies/comments on the back of the vaccine fridge temperature chart.
• Report any cold chain breach to the Immunisation Section 1300 232 272.

Weekly

• Data loggers should be set to record 5 minutely.
• Download the data logger.
• Review the graph and numerical data.
• Review any temperatures outside the +2°C and +8°C.
• Save the downloaded file and clear the logger.
• Return the data logger to the vaccine fridge.
• Report any cold chain breach to the Immunisation Section 1300 232 272.

Annually

• Annual vaccine fridge service with a qualified refrigerator technician.
• Maintain the data logger as per manufacturer’s instructions, including recalibration and changing the battery.
• Perform a vaccine storage self audit. A vaccine storage self-audit checklist is available in Appendix 2 of the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5.

(Your vaccine fridge technician/supplier can help you.)

• Set vaccine fridge temperature to a minimum of +2°C and a maximum of +8°C.
• Set fridge alarm to activate outside the +2°C and +8°C range.
• Learn how to read the minimum, maximum and current temperatures and reset the fridge temperature panel. Your refrigerator technician can help you.
• Ensure that the temperature of the vaccine refrigerator is stable before stocking it with vaccines. To do this, monitor the refrigerator for at least 48 hours before storing vaccines to ensure that temperatures are maintained between +2°C and +8°C.
• Order a vaccine fridge temperature chart from SA Health.

(Your data logger supplier can help you).

1. Ensure the date and time is correct and temperature recording is in Celsius
2. Set the data logger alarm system to alarm outside the +2°C to +8°C range
3. Set the data logger to record at 5 minutely intervals
4. Learn how to download the data logger in numerical format
5. Place the data logger in the centre of the vaccine fridge on a centre shelf

A 'cold chain breach' occurs when vaccines are stored outside +2°C to +8°C. This excludes excursions up to +12°C, lasting no longer than 15 minutes.

1. Isolate vaccines and place a ‘DO NOT USE VACCINES’ sign on the fridge. Communicate this to all staff.
2. Keep vaccines stored between +2ºC and +8ºC. Do NOT discard any vaccines.
3. Contact SA Health's Immunisation Section on 1300 232 272 during business hours. Do not contact this number after hours or on public holidays as it is redirected to CDCB on call doctor. They are on call for urgent matters only.
4. Document all action taken on the back of the vaccine fridge temperature chart.

In the event of widespread power outages, complete and email the Cold Chain Breach Report-SA Health when directed by the Immunisation Section.

Activate your back-up plan, Cold Chain Back-up Plan (PDF 178KB). Also refer to the Summer Preparedness Checklist (PDF 190KB).

A Cold Chain Toolkit (PDF 1.6MB) has been developed for South Australian immunisation providers who receive government funded vaccines to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for information and resources about vaccine management. It includes useful resources for providers to support best practice for vaccine management, reducing the risk of ineffective vaccines being administered.

Those responsible for vaccine ordering and receiving government funded vaccine deliveries must follow the processes outlined below.

If you are in a refrigerated delivery area:

Routine deliveries will be transported in a monitored refrigerated vehicle and therefore no temperature monitor will be enclosed in your package.

On delivery of your vaccines, please review the enclosed documentation with the vaccines received in your order to check you have the correct:

• number of vaccines
• brands of vaccines
• batches as listed on the delivery documentation.

Once checked, immediately place your vaccines in your vaccine fridge. Ensure you store any government funded vaccines separately from any privately purchased vaccines.

Urgent deliveries may be distributed in an esky with a TagAlert™ monitor. Refer to the information sheet regarding TagAlert™ monitors and instructions for use (PDF 234KB).

If you are in a non-refrigerated transport delivery area:

Routine deliveries will be delivered in a CoolPac shipper which will remain the property of SA Health VDC. A TagAlert™ cold chain monitor is enclosed in every CoolPac.

On delivery of your vaccines, please review the enclosed documentation with the vaccines received in your order to check you have received the correct:

• number of vaccines
• brands of vaccines
• batches as listed on the delivery documentation.

Once checked, immediately place your vaccines in your vaccine fridge. Ensure you store any government funded vaccines separately from any privately purchased vaccines.

The shipper, along with the ice packs and inner packaging, will be taken away by the courier at the time of delivery.

Refer to the information sheet regarding TagAlert™ monitors and instructions for use (PDF 234KB).

All deliveries:

• Need to be accepted and signed for from the courier.
• If transported by esky/cooler, check the TagAlert™ following the TagAlert™ monitors and instructions for use.
• If the LCD displays an arrow to the X and a number 1, 2, 3 and/or 4, then an alarm has been triggered. Contact the Immunisation Section clinical team on 1300 232 272.
• Review the vaccine delivery documentation and check against the vaccines received in your order as outlined above.
• Promptly transfer vaccines to a monitored vaccine fridge, DO NOT remove vaccines from their original packaging.
• Ensure you separate government funded vaccines and privately purchased vaccines, so they do not get mixed up.
• Check expiry dates for new and existing stock and ensure vaccines with the shortest dates are placed at the front to be used first.
• Read and record fridge temperature.
• If you have questions about the order, or the order does not match the documentation, please contact the Vaccine Distribution Centre immediately on (08) 7425 7139.

All immunisation providers receiving government funded vaccines from SA Health agree to:

• Store vaccines in a purpose-built vaccine fridge (PBVF).
• Have a data logger that is downloaded weekly.
• Manually record the fridge temperature twice a day when site is open. (Temperature charts can be ordered from www.poscat.com.au, or the Strive for 5 resource collection).
• Immediately isolate vaccines in the PBVF following a cold chain breach (CCB) and label do not use.
• Call the SA Health Immunisation Section nurses on 1300 232 272 for advice before discarding or using any vaccines following a CCB.
• Have a written cold chain policy and procedure that complies with the 10 principles of vaccine storage management National Vaccine Storage Guidelines – Strive for 5.