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 "By haitham alfalah (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
