10 Vaccine Freezer Setup.pdf
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This is an instructional document from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch, providing guidelines for vaccine freezer setup and maintenance. The document outlines the procedures necessary to establish proper vaccine storage conditions, including initial temperature calibration, thermometer placement, and cold pack positioning. The freezer temperature must be set to -5°F (or middle dial setting if using a dial thermostat) and allowed to stabilize below 0°F for 3-5 days before vaccines are stored. Two thermometers are required—a digital thermometer as the primary unit and a liquid-filled or dial thermometer as backup—with probes positioned in the center of the freezer next to vaccines. Cold packs must be strategically placed in the freezer door and top shelf areas where vaccines should not be stored. Staff must record temperatures twice daily using a provided temperature log and immediately take corrective action if temperatures exceed 5°F.
The document specifies acceptable freezer temperature ranges, with optimal storage temperatures at or below -5°F, with specific reference points from 0°F to -4°F marked as acceptable. The document emphasizes safety protocols including securing the freezer plug with a guard cover and posting a "Do Not Unplug" sign. This reference material serves as a standard operational procedure document for healthcare facilities and immunization programs to ensure vaccine integrity and compliance with storage requirements established by the California Department of Public Health.
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www.eziz.org
IMM-965 (8/09)California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
Vaccine Freezer Setup
Set the freezer temperature.
If the freezer has a thermostat, set it at -5ºF.
If it has a dial with a range of numbers, set it in the middle.
The next morning, check the temperature and adjust it until it stabilizes below 0ºF.
Plug in the freezer.
Secure with plug guard/cover.
Post “Do Not Unplug” sign.
Once the temperature has stabilized, start recording temperatures on the temperature log twice a day.
Do not store vaccines in the freezer until the temperature stays below 0ºF for 3–5 days.
Attach the display of the digital thermometer to the outside of refrigerator, either on the door or on the side.
Set the temperature modes.
(To learn how to set the modes of a digital thermometer, refer to the EZ-IZ job aid Vaccine Thermometers.)
Two thermometers are needed to ensure accurate temperatures. Many practices use a digital thermometer as the primary thermometer and a liquid-filled or dial thermometer as the back-up.
In a stand-alone freezer, place the digital thermometer probe and the back-up thermometer in the center of the freezer, next to the vaccine.
Put cold packs in areas where vaccines should not be stored, including the freezer door and on the top shelf of the freezer.
Preparing for Vaccine Storage
Cold Pack Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
°F
Cold Pack Cold Pack Cold Pack Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack
Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
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In a combination unit freezer, place the probe of the digital thermometer and the back-up thermometer in the center of the freezer floor.
temp display
Ac ce pt ab le Te m pe ra tu re s
Freezer Temperature Log
Danger! Temperatures above 5ºF are too w
Staff Initials
Day of Month
Time
1 2 3 4 5
*Write in temperature if above 5ºF.
Then take action!
am pm am pm am pm am pm am pm
Fº
Aim for (or below)
5ºF 4ºF 3ºF 2ºF 1ºF 0ºF
-1ºF -2ºF -3ºF -4ºF
<-5ºF
°F
Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
Cold Pack
Cold Pack Cold Pack
WARNING!
Do Not Unplug
Normal
ColderCold
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