As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and annual immunisation programmes, a spotlight has been shone on the critical role of vaccine fridges. These special storage units are important for routine immunisation programs and ensuring vaccines are effective.
In this blog post, we will discuss important features of vaccine fridges, such as temperature control and user-friendliness and explore how they are crucial for immunisation programmes.
Understanding Vaccine Fridges
Vaccine fridges stand as the cornerstone of successful vaccination distribution in the landscape of immunisation programs. These specialised refrigeration units are designed to maintain the precise temperatures required for storing vaccines. This temperature range is between +2oC – +8oC and is known as the cold chain.
Whether it’s a small vaccine fridge for a local clinic or a portable vaccine fridge for outreach programs, these units play a crucial role in maintaining cold chain storage conditions.
Why use a vaccination fridge for immunisation programmes?
A vaccination fridge is not only a simple cooling unit; it is a specialised piece of equipment designed to safeguard the potency of vaccines, ensuring they remain viable from production to administration. Below, we’ll explore other fundamental reasons behind the essential use of vaccination fridges in immunisation programs worldwide.
Excellent Temperature Control
As we mentioned earlier, one of the critical factors determining the effectiveness of vaccines is temperature control. Vaccination fridges are engineered to provide a consistent and controlled environment, ensuring that vaccines remain within the recommended temperature range which is paramount to preserving the potency of vaccines.
CoolMed vaccine fridges are designed with built-in temperature probes, which provide automatic min/max temperature recordings throughout the day. This allows healthcare professionals to keep an accurate record of temperature changes to ensure vaccines can remain safe for use.
Further, fridges are also fitted with audible and visual temperature alarms that sound when the temperature falls out of range. In turn, staff can be alerted to any issues which can efficiently be resolved before any permanent damage.
A range of vaccine storage solutions for healthcare settings
Global immunisation programmes magnify the global effort healthcare professionals make to ensure widespread immunisation. Not only are hospitals and large medical facility staff included in this effort but GP practices and local clinics too. To ensure vaccinations are rolled out efficiently, locations require the correct size storage to cater to the volume of vaccines they are given.
Whether it is small vaccine fridges to cater to the needs of local healthcare settings or large medical fridges for hospitals, vaccine fridges need to be suited to the specific space requirements of each setting. This ensures a space-efficient yet reliable storage solution.
At CoolMed, our vaccine fridges come in a range of sizes. Our products range from small, wall-mountable medical fridges (dimension: 485 × 445 × 535 mm) to medium (dimension: 595 × 595 × 820 mm), and large-sized fridges (dimension: 595 × 650 × 1500 mm). This makes our range suitable for any kind of space.
Data-driven assurance
For accurate temperature monitoring, reliable data is king, and all of our fridges are fitted with an i-Cool temperature probe. This specialist equipment accurately monitors and stabilises drug temperatures, allowing you to accurately track fluctuations and record real-time data
As well as this we also offer portable data loggers that can provide a second form of temperature recording.
Accurate to 0.5oC, and reliably working in temperatures between -35°C to 80°C, our vaccine fridge data loggers emerge as invaluable supporting tools for monitoring and maintaining optimal storage conditions.
On-the-Go immunisation
Immunisation programmes extend beyond local healthcare settings and instead require outreach to many places in a short amount of time. For example, flu jabs need to be carried out in care homes and schools, due to residents and children being unable to leave.
During this outreach, temperature-sensitive transportation is critical to ensure vaccinations can be administered to patients safely. Portable vaccine fridges offer a solution to these challenges, enabling the transportation of vaccines while maintaining the cold chain.
CoolMed portable vaccine carriers have power cables for both mains and cars, so your fridge can always stay powered. Additionally, its digital temperature display ensures you can reliably track and maintain the inner temperature of your portable fridge.
Contact our team about our vaccine refrigerators
As the world navigates the challenges posed by global immunisation, the spotlight on vaccination remains undiminished. Vaccine fridges, with their diverse forms and functionalities, prove to be indispensable in supporting routine immunisation programs.
To contact a member of the team, call us on 0161 772 5666, or email our team at info@coolmed.co.uk.
