National Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for Immunization Providers (2007)

Section 7 Stability Guidelines and Resources

Contents

7.1 Stability Guideline Resources
7.2 A Word of Caution
7.3 References

7.1 Stability Guideline Resources

New vaccine development has increased dramatically in recent years. The increasing number of and changes in licensed products makes it very difficult to keep a table of vaccines and their stability guidelines current. Availability of specific recommendations may vary at any given time.

• For the latest information about product storage and handling, vaccine providers are encouraged to consult the manufacturer's product monographs, and your local public health office or immunization program.*
  
  
• The following resources are also recommended:
  
  • The current Canadian Immunization Guide⁽¹⁾
  • Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties⁽²⁾
  • Thermostability Guidelines⁽³⁾
  • Vaccine Identification Database System (VIDS), is an on-line database that will be available in the near future. It provides up-to-date information on all vaccines licensed in Canada.

Maintaining and Updating Information

It is recommended that all facilities maintain a binder or charts that outline the basic shipping and handling information for each vaccine provided by the facility. The information should be updated when new information and products become available. This information should be readily accessible to all providers.

Basic information on each vaccine should include the following:

• Shipping requirements
• Storage requirements
• Shelf life
• Instructions for reconstitution (if applicable)
• Shelf life of multi-dose vaccines after opening
• Special instructions

It is recommended that all facilities maintain a binder or charts that outline the basic shipping and handling information for each vaccine provided by the facility. The information should be updated regularly.

7.2 A Word of Caution

Do not discard vaccines or diluent prior to determining their integrity. When a cold break is suspected, consult your local public health office or immunization program* because jurisdictions may maintain more detailed and jurisdictionally approved stability guidelines to aid in the assessment of cold chain breaks.

Do not discard vaccines or diluent prior to determining their integrity. WHEN A COLD CHAIN BREAK IS SUSPECTED consult your local public health office or immunization program*.

7.3 References

1. National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Canadian immunization guide. 7th ed. Ottawa, Ont.: Public Health Agency of Canada, 2006. (Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada. Cat. No. HP40-3/2006E)

2. Canadian Pharmaceutical Association. Compendium of pharmaceuticals and specialties. 41st ed. Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Pharmaceutical Association, 2006.

3. World Health Organization. Thermostability of vaccines. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1998. (WHO/GPV/98.07)

* Including local, regional, provincial, territorial, or federal health departments, or other jurisdictional immunization programs.