• All providers of immunisation services should have a cold chain policy/ protocol.
• All vaccine storage incidents should be reported to the Screening and Immunisation Team (SIT) via the Immunisation Clinical Advice Service england.emids-imms@nhs.net
• Vaccines involved in a cold chain breach do not always need to be destroyed, in some instances the vaccines remain safe and effective for continued use.
• ‘One off’ fluctuations in fridge temperatures rising above +8°C but lasting less than 20 minutes, such as may occur when stock taking or restocking, are not likely to have breached the vaccine cold chain and as such do not require further action. To comply with this, you must install continuous data-loggers in addition to the integrated fridge thermometer.
• No vaccine should be disposed of until the incident has been discussed with the local SIT.

Some useful links

• Storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines: the green book, chapter 3
• Vaccine Incident Guidance Responding to errors in vaccine storage, handling and administration