Vaccines may lose their effectiveness if they’re kept outside the recommended temperature range, and this cannot be reversed. Storage requirements are listed within each vaccine’s summary of product characteristics (SPC), so you should refer to these to ensure vaccines are kept in the correct environment. Vaccines can also be sensitive to light exposure, so the SPC will outline storage requirements to protect them from light.

Vaccine stocks should be monitored regularly to make sure there is approximately two to four weeks' supply of each vaccine, thereby reducing wastage and reducing the risk of administering an out-of-date vaccine. You should keep track of expiry dates and label and dispose of any out-of-date stock according to local policies. Vaccines must never be used past their expiry date.

The cold chain for vaccines refers to the cold temperature conditions required for their transportation and storage. This is usually at a refrigerator temperature of +2°C to +8°C. Most vaccines should not be frozen, although certain vaccines require storage at temperatures below 0°C.

Always consult the manufacturer's summary of product characteristics (SPC) for temperature requirements.