Storage of Vaccines and Solvents in Cold Chain Equipment

Circular 34 stipulates that vaccines must be stored according to the provisions in Article 8, Decree 104/2016/ND-CP and the following specific regulations:

- Vaccines must be stored individually in the cold chain equipment, not combined with other products;- Arrange vaccines properly, in position, to avoid freezing of the vaccines;- Ensure hygiene when handling vaccine boxes and vials;- Conduct daily monitoring of the cold chain storage temperature of vaccines (including holidays and days off) and record it in the temperature tracking chart at least twice a day in the morning at the start of the workday and in the afternoon before the end of the workday;- Especially for vaccines in the expanded immunization program: In addition to complying with the above regulations, there must be temperature warning devices for cold rooms, an automatic temperature recording log for the central and regional vaccine storage warehouses; there must be an electronic thermometer and freeze indicator for the provincial and district vaccine storage warehouses or refrigerators; thermometers for refrigerators, cold boxes, or vaccine flasks at the commune level.

Additionally, Circular 34 details the storage of diluents as follows:

If not packaged with the vaccine, diluents can be stored outside the cold chain equipment but must comply with the manufacturer's storage requirements and meet the following conditions:

- Diluents must not be frozen;- They must be cooled from +2°C to +8°C for 24 hours before use for reconstitution.

See details Circular 34/2018/TT-BYT effective from January 1, 2019.

-Thao Uyen-

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE