Vaccine Storage and Handling
Recommendations and Guidelines
At a Glance
Proper vaccine storage and handling practices play a very important role in protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccine quality is the shared responsibility of everyone, from the time vaccine is manufactured until it is administered.
- Keys to Storing and Handling Your Vaccine Supply is a video designed to decrease vaccine storage and handling errors and preserve the nation's vaccine supply by demonstrating to immunization providers the recommended best practices for storage and handling of vaccines. (Video is a winner of the Winter/Spring 2014 Web Health Award) May 2014
- These storage and handling fact sheets illustrate best practices for both refrigerated and frozen vaccines. Written in plain language, they include assessments to reinforce key points. While they are CDC-developed and branded fact sheets, each contains an area where you can insert your agency’s logo.
- Vaccine Temperature Best Practices for Refrigerated Vaccines—Fahrenheit (F) [2 pages] MAY 2014
- Vaccine Temperature Best Practices for Frozen Vaccines—Fahrenheit (F) [2 pages] MAY 2014
- Vaccine Storage Best Practices for Refrigerated Vaccines—Fahrenheit (F) [2 pages] MAY 2014
- Vaccine Storage Best Practices for Frozen Vaccines—Fahrenheit (F) [2 pages] MAY 2014
- Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit is a comprehensive resource for providers on vaccine storage and handling recommendations and best practice strategies. It includes considerations for equipment both storage units and thermometers, strategies for maintaining the cold chain, routine storage and handling practices, inventory management and emergency procedures for protecting vaccine inventories. (May 2014)
Note: The Vaccine Storage and Handling Guide has become outdated and will not be updated. Please consult the FDA's package inserts found easily on the IAC website. (Feb 2013)
Note: The Interim Storage and Handling Guidance and FAQs content have been incorporated into the Toolkit and were removed from this website on April 1
- You Call the Shots: Vaccine Storage and Handling Module is an interactive, web-based module which provides learning opportunities, self-test practice questions, reference and resource materials, and an extensive glossary. Continuing education credit is available. (Feb 2013)
- Examples of vaccine labels [17 pages] which can be used to organize vaccines within the storage unit. Referenced in the storage and handling Toolkit and the Guide. (Feb 2013)
- Provider's Role: Importance of Vaccine Admin. & Storage
Includes vaccine administration, timing and spacing of vaccine does, observation of precautions and contraindications, management of vaccine side effects, etc.
- Vaccines for Children Program: Vulnerabilities in Vaccine Management. Report and recommendations released by HHS Office of Inspector General following a routine assessment of the Vaccines for Children program. (Jun 2012)
- Packing Vaccines for Transport During Emergencies [2 pages]
Do you know how to protect your vaccines during equipment failures, power outages, natural disasters? This document illustrates how to pack your refrigerated vaccines during emergency situations to prevent compromising vaccine storage conditions and damage to your vaccine supply.
Note: Storage and handling information in previously published CDC documents, including the 12th Edition Pink Book, may be superseded by the materials listed in above section on this page. If inconsistencies are seen, follow newer guidelines in toolkit or more recently dated materials.
- Vaccine Administration and Storage and Handling Resources Guide [1 page]
- Contact Information for State and Local Health Department Immunization Programs
- Immunization Action Coalition
- Manufacturers/Distributors Contact Information [1 page] (Updated Jul 2014)
- Pink Book Chapter on Vaccine Storage and Handling
See note above about referencing this document.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology: Vaccine Storage and Handling Research
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