Centre for Population Health

The recommended standards for cold chain management are outlined in the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5 along with NSW Health Cold Chain Toolkit Vaccine Storage.

The NSW Health Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management Policy outlines mandatory requirements for the storage and management of vaccines in NSW public facilities. The policy directive includes a Vaccine Refrigerator Protocol for public facilities.

What is ‘cold chain’?
A system of transporting and storing vaccines within a safe temperature range of +2°C to +8°C from manufacture to administration of the vaccine. It is required to protect vaccines against loss of potency from excessive heat or cold. It excludes temperatures up to +12°C for no longer than 15 minutes (which may occur when restocking).

What is effective cold chain vaccine management?

• Have a written Vaccine Management Protocol
• Have a trained, designated person responsible for vaccine storage (include trained backup person) 
• All staff should complete the NSW Health Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management online training module
• The vaccine specific fridge to be continuously monitored by a data logger
• Monitor and record the current, minimum and maximum temperatures twice daily during operational hours. Record on the Strive for 5 – Vaccine fridge temperature chart poster 
• Report any cold chain breach

What action is required when a cold chain breach occurs?

NSW Health resource on managing a cold chain breach
Refer to the NSW Cold Chain Breach Protocol

Resources

• Cold Chain Toolkit (NSW Health)
• Safe Vaccine Storage Checklist (NSW Health) 
• Frequently asked questions (NSW Health)
• Rescuing vaccines during a power outage (video)