Vaccine storage and disposal
Information and resources on the correct storage and use of vaccines
Provision of a vaccine service, whether this is for routine child and adult, occupational health or travel vaccines, carries with it the responsibility for the correct storage and use of vaccines. This includes management of the cold chain, cold chain breakdown and disposal of unused products.
YFVC are required to comply with national minimum standards for the management of the cold chain and to keep up to date with and adhere to current guidelines.
YFVC are advised that sale of YF vaccine to another YFVC (with a separate legal entity), requires a wholesale dealer’s licence [personal communication Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency September 2019). Where a YFVC has surplus YF vaccine stock (e.g. if a YFVC choses to withdraw their YF designated status), YF vaccine must be disposed of in accordance with local guidelines.
Resources
- Health Protection Scotland: Guidance on vaccine storage and handling. V3, August 2017
- NHS: Keep your vaccines healthy
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- UK Health Security Agency: Protocol for ordering, storing and handling vaccines. April 2014
- UK Health Security Agency: Immunisation against infectious disease – Chapter 3. Storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines.
- UK Health Security Agency: Vaccine storage management, Care Quality Commission: frequently asked questions. October 2014
- UK Health Security Agency: Vaccine incident guidance: Responding to vaccine errors. July 2022
- UK Health Security Agency: Leaflet vaccines stored outside the recommended temperature range
- World Health Organization. Stability of Vaccines