CHPSO continues to monitor the problem of incorrect storage
temperatures for vaccines (for the latest of several articles on
this issue, see the March 2012
CHPSO Patient Safety News). Many vaccines include an adjuvant
that will separate from the immunogen when frozen, reducing or
eliminating its efficacy. This article focuses on a recent Office
of Inspector General (OIG) report, Vaccines for Children Program:
Vulnerabilities in Vaccine Management (OEI-04-10-00430).
During Medication Error Reduction Plan (MERP) Surveys, CDPH
pharmaceutical consultants continue to identify circumstances
whereby refrigerated vaccines have not been properly stored in
accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. These occurrences
involve refrigerators located in various areas, including
emergency departments, in-patient pharmacies and out-patient
clinics.
![By haitham alfalah (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](/sites/main/files/imagecache/overview/main-images/ambulances_drug_storage_01.jpg?1561435754 "By haitham alfalah (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
