The aim of the Divisions immunisation program is to reduce vaccine preventable diseases through increased vaccine uptake, and to improve the quality of immunisation services throughout South Australia. Best practice, timely advice and education are implicit within the program.

The Program can help your practice with:

• Advice on cold-chain monitoring and vaccine storage
• Streamlining reporting to ACIR site to suit your practices needs, including direct entry on to ACIR secure site
• Reading ACIR/GPII reports to increase immunisation rates for your practice
• Advice on the Vaccination schedule (0 to 4 years)
• Advice on all National Immunisation Campaigns
• Migrant childrens catch up schedules

WHAT IS COLD CHAIN?

The cold chain is the system of transporting and storing vaccines within the safe temperature range of between +2˚C and +8˚C.  It is recommended that general practices Strive for 5˚C.

WHAT IS A COLD CHAIN BREACH?

A cold chain breach occurs when vaccine storage temperatures have been outside of the recommended range of +2˚C to +8˚C.  This excludes temperature excursions of up to + 12˚C that last no longer than 15 minutes, which often occur when stocktaking or restocking.  Temperature increases for this reason should still be recorded on the temperature chart (Storage Record Sheet on reverse side).

THE 5 COLD CHAIN ESSENTIALS:-

1.  Check, record and reset the fridge thermometer:-

• at the start and end of every day.
• check all Cold Chain Monitor cards (orange) & ensure no leakage of the blue dye.
• change the battery in the fridge thermometer every 12 months.

2.  Report all cold chain breaches and isolate affected vaccines:-

• do not use any vaccines until you have received appropriate advice.
• do not discard any vaccines until you have been instructed by the Immunisation Section.

3.  Conduct self-audits 12 monthly: (Strive for 5 page 36)

• this gives confidence that the recommended cold chain guidelines are being followed or changes to practices are made if necessary.

4.  Education:-

• contact Cathy Hayward, Immunisation Coordinator at GP partners Adelaide to organise cold chain education for all new practice staff.  Direct phone number 8112 1116 or email chayward@gppadelaide.org.au
• access National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: Strive for 5 – http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf

5.  Refrigerator:-

• If you have purchased a Purpose Built Vaccine Refrigerator and need support to set it up, please call the 1800 number on the fridge door.
• There is some information about Purpose Built Refrigerators on GP partners website.

Power Failures
It is always ideal to have an organised plan to maintain the cold chain for vaccines in the event of a power blackout. Some useful suggestions are:

• Preparation 
  • always have available; 
  • Ice bricks wrapped in bubble wrap or newspaper 
  • Esky 
  • Min/max thermometer or data logger 
  • Bubble wrap, thick cardboard or blanket and tape for fridges with a glass door 

• During power failure 
  • Ideal to have in place, an agreement with e.g. local pharmacy or hospital with a large fridge where vaccines could be stored in the case of an extensive power failure. Vaccines could be transferred in an esky with ice bricks wrapped in bubble wrap or newspaper so that the ice bricks are not in direct contact with the vaccine packaging 
  • Initially vaccines could remain in the closely monitored fridge with: 
    1. Ice bricks in the spare space in the fridge, but not in direct contact with the vaccine packaging 
    2. Cover a glass door with the bubble wrap, thick cardboard or blanket 
    3. Place a sign on the fridge door – ‘Do not open the door or use any vaccines until further notice’ 
    4. Lock the fridge door if possible 
  • Transfer the vaccines to the prepared and monitored esky if fridge temperature are increasing above +8°C for a prolonged period of time 

• After the power failure 
  • Do not discard any vaccines 
  • Contact the SA Health Immunisation Section on – 1300 232 272 to provide details of the event and discuss any action required
  • Record details of the event and actions taken on the Vaccine Fridge Temperature Chart (back of that months graph)