Evaluating the efficacy of vaccine storage in the general practice

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the implementation of guidelines for vaccine storage in general practice, and their effectiveness in achieving optimum vaccine storage temperatures in fridges.

DESIGN:

Repeated cross-sectional surveys over time--phase 1 1996/97, phase 2 1998/99, phase 3 1999/2000.

SETTING:

Central Coast, New South Wales.

PARTICIPANTS:

Phase 1--all general practices on the Central Coast. Phases 2 and 3--samples of practices.

INTERVENTIONS:

Each practice was surveyed about how they stored vaccines. A datalogger recorded fridge temperatures over six days. Individual feedback and advice were given.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Proportion of: 1. fridges maintaining a temperature in the 2-8 degrees C range; 2. fridges freezing; 3. practices with one person responsible for vaccine storage; 4. bridge temperature checked daily; 5. fridges storing no items other than vaccines; 6. bridges with thermometers; and 7. associations between storage practices and fridge temperatures.

RESULTS:

In phase 1, 102 fridges, and in phase 3, a random sample of 36 practices was surveyed. The findings for phase 1 and phase 3 respectively were: 31% and 50% of fridges were in the 2-8 degrees C range; 36% and 25% were <0 degrees C; one person was responsible in 52% and 53% of cases; 20% and 38% reported daily checks; 74% and 94% of fridges had no extraneous items and 53% and 86% of fridges had thermometers. No statistically significant associations were found between vaccine storage practices and bridge temperatures.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite improvements in vaccine storage practices, a quarter of fridges were freezing, thereby compromising the potency of many of the immunisation schedule vaccines.