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Page 18
During a work day it is easy for vaccines to be shifted into an area of the storage unit where the
temperature may not be appropriate or stable, such as against a wall, under a cold air vent or in
the door.
While it is important to take measures to prevent problems, equally important is taking immediate
corrective action when a problem does exist, for example when the storage unit temperature falls
outside the recommended range. It is very important that staff know whom to contact in case of a
malfunction or disaster.
If the problem is short-term (usually 2 hours or less) and depending on outside ambient
temperature, the storage unit temperature can probably be maintained with the water containers
in the refrigerator, with frozen packs or blue ice in the freezer, and by keeping the unit doors
closed. If there is an extended period of time before the situation can be corrected and there are
no other storage units available on site, the vaccine should be moved to the backup storage facility
using the guidelines in the emergency plan.
Maintenance of the Vaccine Refrigerator or Freezer
• Report breakdowns immediately and arrange for alternative monitored storage for vaccines
while the appliance is being repaired.
• Regularly check the door seals to ensure a good seal is maintained. Replace the seals if
they are damaged or cold air is leaking from the appliance.
• Defrost the appliance regularly, if required, to prevent build-up of ice which will result in
unstable temperatures. Regular defrosting also aids in efficient functioning of your
appliance.
• If there are exposed coils on the back of the appliance, keep them clean and dust-free to
improve operating efficiency.
Checking the Door Seal
To check that the vaccine storage unit door is sealing properly:
1. Place a thin paper strip against the cabinet front.
2. Close the door.
3. Pull the paper strip. If it moves easily or falls away by itself, the door and the rubber-like
seal need to be adjusted.
4. Check all the way around the door. Pay particular attention to the corners.
5. Based on this assessment, if a problem with the door seal or hinges is suspected,
contact a trained repair technician.
Checking if the Thermometer Works
A slight variation in temperature is often seen from one thermometer reading to another, even
when the vaccine storage unit thermostat is set at a particular temperature. This is normal. If the
thermometer reading does not fluctuate at all over several readings, temporarily remove the
thermometer from the storage unit and place it outside the unit at room temperature. Check
whether the temperature reading rises. If no change in the temperature reading occurs, the
thermometer is faulty and needs to be replaced.
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