Storing vaccines
It’s important to store vaccines correctly.
Vaccines are fragile biological substances.
They can become less effective (or even ineffective) if exposed to temperatures outside the recommended storage range of between +2°C and +8°C.
The vaccine ‘cold chain’ is the system of transporting and storing vaccines within this safe temperature range. This cold chain begins when the vaccine is made and ends when the vaccine is administered.
Vaccines should be stored in a purpose-built vaccine refrigerator. Domestic refrigerators, including bar fridges, are not suitable for vaccine storage.
Each state and territory has its own requirements for storing and handling vaccines. See your state or territory health department website for the requirements that apply where you work. You can find links on our Immunisation contacts page.
Cold chain breaches
Do not use vaccines exposed to temperatures below +2°C or above +8°C without getting further advice. Do not discard these vaccines.
For National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines, isolate them and contact your state or territory health authority for advice. For privately purchased vaccines, contact the manufacturer or supplier.
Recommendations for discarding vaccines may change between health authorities and manufacturers.
Do not discard any vaccines until you get advice.
Maintaining the cold chain
To maintain vaccine potency, providers should:
- store vaccines in a purpose-built vaccine refrigerator
- have documented cold chain management procedures
- ensure staff handling vaccines receive appropriate training
- monitor and record vaccine refrigerator temperatures regularly
- know how to respond to and report cold chain breaches.
Guidance on storing vaccines
Guidance on vaccine storage and cold chain management is available in:
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ Standards for general practices (5th edition)
- Australian Immunisation Handbook – preparing for vaccination.
Both of these resources also refer to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5 (4th edition).
These provide detailed guidance on vaccine storage, cold chain management, responding to cold chain breaches, using data loggers and self-auditing.
Self-auditing
Regular self-auditing can help ensure vaccine storage and handling practices comply with cold chain requirements. Refer to the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5 resources collection, including self-audit tools.
Preparing vaccines
Always prepare vaccines according to the manufacturer's instructions. This information is provided with the vaccine and is also available with product information on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) website.
It’s important to correctly prepare vaccines that need to be reconstituted (restored to their original state) before being given.
Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for general information about preparing vaccines and the equipment needed to prepare vaccines.
Handling and administering vaccines
You must handle vaccines in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook administration of vaccines procedures.
The handbook provides information about what to do before, during and after administering a vaccine, including:
- pre-vaccination assessment
- routes of administration
- recommended injection sites
- patient positioning
- post-vaccination care.
The Australian guidelines for the prevention and control of infection in healthcare outline how to handle and dispose of sharps.
Only suitably trained and qualified people can administer vaccines. See your state or territory health department website for accredited vaccination training courses for nurses.
Next steps
Learn about:
- Using the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
- Reporting and managing adverse events
- Getting immunised for work.
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