Throughout the world, vaccines save lives. In fact, statistics show that vaccines help to prevent over 2.5 deaths per year. However, this depends on medical labs around the world properly storing their vaccines. Knowing how to store these items in a medical grade freezer is extremely important. With that in mind, here are four tips for properly storing vaccines.
- Using the First in First Out Method
It’s important that businesses are able to properly rotate inventory. With that in mind, your medical lab needs to do follow the rule of first in first out. This means placing the vaccines that are closest to their expiration date in the front of your freezer. You don’t want to accidentally place vaccines that are soon to expire in the front. This could cause your lab to end up wasting vaccines. - Know Proper Temperature Ranges
You’ll also want to keep a close eye on temperature ranges in your lab freezers. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states frozen vaccines must be stored in temperatures ranging between -58 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, it’s important to check your benchtop freezers to ensure vaccines remain in this range. Certain labs will utilize medical freezer fridge combination units. If this is the case, you’ll want to ensure any refrigerated vaccines remain at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. - Vaccine Storage Units Aren’t for Food
You’ve probably heard about placing water bottles in vaccine refrigeration units. This is done to help regulate temperature levels. While you might be aware that food should never be stored in vaccine freezers and refrigerators, it’s important your coworkers know this. Therefore, it’s wise to consider printing a sign clearly stating your vaccine storage units aren’t for lunches. - Utilize Separation and Labeling Systems
After receiving your vaccines, it’s not wise to simply place them all in a benchtop freezer. Before opening your stand alone freezer for vaccines, separate these items. This enables other staff members to easily be able to find the right vaccine. If employees need to spend five minutes finding a vaccine, this means the freezer door stays open. In turn, this could lead to problems keeping vaccines within the proper temperature range.
In closing, it’s important to know how to properly store vaccines. Whether using an undercounter or benchtop freezer, properly stored vaccines are immensely valuable. Fortunately, it’s quite simple to keep vaccines safely stored. A major part of achieving this goal is by owning quality equipment. Therefore, it’s imperative to partner with a trustworthy supplier of medical equipment for your lab.