Practical Strategies to Prevent Vaccine Storage and Handling Errors

Background: The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is a nonprofit organization that works to increase immunization rates and prevent disease. Thousands of healthcare professionals call or write us every year with questions about vaccines and immunization, too many of which involve vaccine storage and handling errors.

Setting: Healthcare professionals can contact IAC via email and telephone. IAC keeps a record of the vaccination errors described by the email correspondents.

Population: Healthcare professionals around the nation who provide immunization services, including physicians, nurses, medical assistants, physician assistants, pharmacists, and others.

Project Description: This presentation will provide information about common vaccine storage and handling errors and how to prevent them. Such situations include not storing vaccines correctly, not monitoring temperatures frequently enough, not acting immediately when a temperature goes out of range, not rotating stock, not storing vaccines and diluents in a way to avoid mix-ups, and more. Real-life examples will provide interest and relevance. The presenter will provide CDC-approved guidance about what to do if such errors occur, and more importantly, how to prevent mistakes in the first place. Related resources will be highlighted.

Results/Lessons Learned: Vaccine storage and handling errors occur frequently and can cause serious problems. Avoid trouble by knowing the recommendations related to vaccine storage and handling.