12 You may need a new fridge.pdf
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This document is a vaccine storage equipment requirement guideline issued by the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch, for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. The document outlines mandatory refrigeration and freezing equipment specifications that all VFC providers must comply with to receive VFC-supplied vaccines, effective July 1, 2009. The equipment requirements are tiered based on annual vaccine dose volume: very high volume providers (10,000+ doses/year) require pharmacy-grade or biologic-grade refrigerator-only units and stand-alone freezers; high volume providers (2,000-10,000 doses/year) need refrigerator-only units with minimum 16.7 cubic feet and stand-alone freezers; medium volume providers (500-2,000 doses/year) may use refrigerator-only units or pharmacy-grade under-counter units; and low volume providers (less than 500 doses/year) may continue using household combination units if specifications are met. The document does not specify response dates, due dates, or contract award dates, as it serves as a compliance guideline rather than a procurement solicitation.
The guideline establishes detailed technical specifications for all refrigeration and freezing equipment, including temperature maintenance requirements (35°F-46°F for refrigerators and 5°F or below for freezers), automatic defrost capability, proper sealing, NIST-certified thermometers, and dedicated use for vaccine storage. The document provides a three-step purchasing process and includes tables matching maximum vaccine doses to minimum cubic footage requirements with specific product examples from manufacturers such as Revco, Sanyo, Nor-Lake, and Frigidaire. No pricing information, set-asides, incumbents, or funding sources are specified in this document. The guideline emphasizes proper equipment placement away from direct sunlight in well-ventilated areas and includes operational setup instructions such as temperature recording procedures and a minimum five-day stabilization period before vaccine placement.
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A new VFC vaccine storage equipment requirement took effect July 1, 2009. This new requirement will help ensure that VFC-supplied vaccines are properly stored and managed, preventing inadvertent administration of improperly stored vaccines to VFC-eligible patients, costly vaccines losses, and unnecessary vaccine wastage. It will also ensure that you have enough usable space to store the increased number of recommended vaccines.
All providers must comply with these requirements in order to receive VFC vaccines. The type of refrigerator or freezer you need is based on:
the number of vaccine doses your practice orders in a year (below)1.
the maximum amount of vaccine you will store (see back)2.
required specifications (below)3.
Doses/Year Required Equipment
Very high volume providers (10,000 doses/year)
Pharmacy-grade or biologic-grade refrigerator-only units and stand-alone freezer units.
High volume providers (2,000-10,000 doses/year)
Refrigerator-only (16.7 cubic feet minimum) and stand-alone freezer units.
Medium volume providers* (500-2,000 doses/year)
Refrigerator-only (16.7 cubic feet minimum) and stand-alone freezer units or Pharmacy-grade or biologic-grade under the counter units.
Low volume providers* (less than 500 doses/year)
* Most practices will need a separate refrigerator and freezer, but low and medium volume providers already enrolled in the VFC Program may continue to use household refrigerator/freezer combination units if they meet all the required specifications below.
Required Specifications All refrigerator units must:
| • | Maintain required vaccine storage temperatures (35ºF – 46ºF) year-round. |
| • | Be automatic defrost (frost-free) and free of any frost, |
ice, water or coolant leaks. Manual defrost (cyclic defrost) refrigerators with visible cooling plates/ coiling in the internal back wall are not acceptable.
Provide enough space to store the largest number • of doses expected at one time (including influenza season), allowing for vaccine storage at least 2-3 inches away from walls, floor, and other boxes, and away from cold air vents.
• Be reliable (with a quiet compressor) and has not needed frequent repairs.
Replacement should be considered for household refrigerator/freezer combination units over 10 years old.
| • | Have doors that seal tightly and close properly |
| • | Have separate temperature controls for refrigerator and freezer for combination units. |
Not have convertible features that switch to an all-freezer unit.• Have a working thermometer placed centrally in the unit. Thermometers must be certified • in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Be used only for vaccine storage. In limited circumstance, and as space allows, other • medications may be stored in the same units.
All Freezer units must:
| • | Maintain required vaccine storage temperatures (5ºF or below) year-round. |
| • | Provide enough space to store vaccines along with sufficient frozen cold packs. |
| • | Have an automatic defroster. (Manual defrosters are acceptable only if the office has an |
alternate place to store vaccines when defrosting the unit.)
Vaccines for Children Program California Department of Public Health Immunization Branch Phone: 1-877-243-8832 Fax: 1-877-329-9832 www.eziz.org
IMM-940 (8/10)
VFC provider:
You May Need a New Refrigerator
Did you know an average provider stores tens of thousands of dollars worth of vaccines
Not having the correct refrigerator or freezer may lead to costly vaccine losses or worse, inadvertently giving non-viable vaccines to your patients!
3 Easy Steps to Buy a Refrigerator or Freezer
Refrigerator:
Add the number of doses on hand (current inventory) from your last order form.
VFC vaccine _________
VFC flu vaccine +_________
Private vaccine +_________
Private flu vaccine +_________
Total doses =_________
Multiply (max inventory) x 1.25
Maximum doses =_________
Freezer:
Add the number of doses on hand (current inventory) from your last order form.
VFC MMR & Varicella vaccine ________
Private MMR & Varicella vaccine +_________
Total doses =_________
Multiply (max inventory) x 1.25
Maximum doses =_________
Match your maximum doses with the minimum cubic feet (needed to safely store your vaccine) to find product example. *Indicates pharmacy grade.
Max. Doses Minimum Cubic Ft. Examples of Refrigerator–only units
2,000+ doses may need more than one refrigerator
See below
1000 – 2000 40 cu. ft Revco REL-4504A; REL-4504D* Nor-Lake NSPR482* Sanyo SPR-49GD-MED*
900 – 1000 36 cu. ft. Sanyo MPR-1013; MPR-1013R* Turbo Air GST-40DR*
801 - 900 21 - 23 cu. ft Aegis Scientific 1-R-22* Sanyo SRR-23FD; SRR-23GD; SRR-23FD*
701 - 800 17 - 19.5 cu. ft. Aegis Scientific 3-CR-17* Frigidaire FCGM201RF; FCRS201RFB Marvel Scientific 17CAR
400 – 700 16.7 cu. ft. Avanti BCAD680 Nor-Lake LR161WWW/0* Kenmore 60722 Frigidaire FRU17B2J; FRU17B2JW*
100 - 399 4.9 - 6.1 cu. ft.
(Must be pharmacy grade)
Sanyo SR-L4110W; SF-L6111W; MPR-214F* Nor-Lake LRO61WWW/0; NSLR051WMW/0* Revco REL-404A*
Max. Doses Minimum Cubic Ft. Examples of Freezers–only units
501 – 6,000 7 - 14.8 cu. ft Arctic Air CF07 Whirlpool EH150FXR; EH151FXRQ Frigidaire AFFC1466DW
201 - 500 5 - 5.6 cu. ft. Revco ULT-430A* Frigidaire FFC0522DW
0 - 200 3.5 - 4.9 cu. ft. Nor-Lake LF041WWW/OM* Barnstead International Model 3752 Revco ULT-430A*
Things to think about before buying a refrigerator or freezer:
1. Where will it go?
It must be placed away • from direct sunlight and in a well ventilated area.
There must be enough • space around it to allow air to flow freely.
There must be an electric • outlet nearby that can be used only by the refrigera-tor and does not depend on the light switch.
2. What is the warranty and extended service option?
3. Will the store dispose of or recycle your old unit?
| 4. | Is there an energy rebate? |
| 5. | How long will it take for the |
delivery of it?
Note: The use of trade names and commercial sources in this document is for identification only, and does not imply endorsement by the California Department of Public Health or the California Vaccines for Children Program. Compare products to the requirements on the front page before purchase, as product availability and features may change.
Estimate the maximum number of doses of VFC vaccine and privately purchased vaccine that will be in your refrigerator and freezer.
Search for product name and model numbers on the Internet for prices, dimensions, and locations. Verify that the specifications meet all requirements.
Getting started with a new refrigerator or freezer:
Plug in the refrigerator or 1.
freezer (one unit per outlet).
Place thermometers in the 2.
center of unit.
Set temperatures to correct 3.
ranges:
Freezer: 0º F Refrigerator: 40º F Record temperatures twice 4.
a day on your vaccine Temperature Log.
Place vaccines in unit if 5.
recorded temperatures are within the correct range for at least 5 days in a row.
Review Storage Guide at 6.
www.eziz.org for proper set- up and storage of vaccines.
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