Information for Providers

Vaccine Management

Requirements necessary to ensure proper vaccine storage:

Appropriate refrigerators and freezers must be used. A full-sized refrigerator with a separate, insulated, frost-free freezer is required. Dormitory style refrigerators are not acceptable.
Vaccines must be stored at the appropriate temperatures.
- Store vaccines at the temperatures indicated on the package insert.
- Vaccines intended for refrigeration are to be stored between 35 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees Celsius). Temperatures above or below this range can destroy the potency of vaccines and render them ineffective.
- Zoster (shingles) vaccine and varicella-containing vaccines must be stored frozen. Potency of varicella-containing vaccines is particularly temperature sensitive and these vaccines must be maintained at an average of 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) or colder.
- Measles vaccines must be protected from light at all times, since such exposure may inactivate the vaccine viruses.
Temperatures must be monitored and recorded daily.
- Accurate thermometers should be placed next to the vaccines in the middle of the freezer and refrigerator.

Temperatures should be recorded at least twice each day on a temperature log posted on or next to the refrigerator.
Adjust the thermostat if temperature is recorded outside the recommended range and contact the vaccine manufacturer.