Vaccines are a very important part of society and the medical world. They are also administered on an incredibly widespread basis throughout the year. This is why the proper care and storage of vaccines is so crucial. Temperature control and inventory are both key parts of this operation.
Buying the best vaccine refrigerator and vaccine freezer for your facility is something that should take a little time and consideration. Perhaps you need an undercounter lab refrigerator and you’ve been looking at a combination fridge and freezer to save space. This would not be the best choice, due to the issues these type of units have with temperature control.
Below we will discuss the best options for medical refrigerators and freezers to help you decide which is best for your clinic.
Space Saving Options
Perhaps you have a smaller clinic and don’t need a giant refrigerator and freezer for the small inventory of vaccines you have. If this is the case, there are smaller undercounter lab refrigerators and freezers that you can buy to save space. As said above, it is best to avoid a combination of the two due to temperature control issues. It’s better to by them separately in a small, undercounter size where they can be tucked out of the way.
When buying a larger unit, it is still best to keep the fridge and freezer separate if possible, but if you must buy a combination unit we will discuss precautions to take in the next section.
Mainting a Proper Temperature
When storing vaccines it is important to take the temperature of the storage space every day. Inactivated vaccines should never be frozen and should be kept between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, if you are using a combination fridge and freezer, avoid putting vaccines near the vent that pulls cold air into the fridge from the freezer. It will be colder near this and could be damaging to the vaccines.
Be Thorough
The most important thing to do when storing vaccines, whether it’s in an undercounter lab refrigerator or a large unit, is to be thorough and diligent. You want to stay on top of dates, inventory counts, and temperature checks. Assess your supply daily and take action when needed.