Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines

Introduction to Vaccine Storage

• Biological vaccines, such as Shingrix, are temperature-sensitive products that lose potency when exposed to temperatures outside recommended ranges, which can reduce protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1

Vaccine Storage Requirements

• The cold chain must be maintained to ensure vaccine effectiveness from manufacturer to administration, typically requiring storage between 2°C and 8°C for most vaccines, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1
• Live varicella-containing vaccines, unlike Shingrix, require frozen storage at temperatures below -15°C to maintain viability, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2, 3, 4

Clinical Implications and Storage Best Practices

• Monitor refrigerator temperatures carefully, as exposure to improper temperatures can irreversibly reduce vaccine potency, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1
• Do not freeze reconstituted vaccine, as freezing can damage the adjuvant system and antigen components, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1