Cold Chain Management

Introduction for new staff 

• Training tool for new staff: Introduction to Cold Chain Management
• NSW Health cold chain online module “HETI”
• Pop quiz: Is it a cold chain breach? – test your knowledge!

National requirements

• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines: ‘Strive for 5’, 3rd edition

Equipment 

• Fridge: must be vaccine specific fridge – see examples of vaccine fridges
• Data logger: must record at 5 minute intervals – see examples of data loggers
• Min/max thermometer: in-built or portable min/max thermometer

Monitoring 

• Twice daily: record min/max temperatures using Strive for 5 temperature graph or PHN temperature booklet
• Weekly: download data logger report, record results
• Annually: complete Vaccine storage self audit

NSW requirements

• Guidelines: Cold Chain Toolkit – NSW Health 
• Checklist: Vaccine Storage Checklist – NSW Health 
• Online module (compulsory): Vaccine Storage and Cold Chain Management – NSW Health / HETI
• Website: Vaccine storage and cold chain management – NSW Health

Cold Chain Breach (CCB)

Need to report a cold chain breach?

For COVID-19 vaccines, contact the Vaccine Operation Centre (VOC):

• Phone: 1800 318 208
  VOC hours of operation: 7am to 10pm AEST
  Email: COVID19VaccineOperationsCentre@Health.gov.au

For National Immunsation Program (NIP) vaccines, email your Public Health Unit (PHU):

1. completed Cold Chain Breach and Vaccine Wastage Reporting Form (June 2020)
2. data logger records 
3. min/max temperature records

Email for South Eastern Sydney PHU: SESLHD-PublicHealthUnit-IMMTeam@health.nsw.gov.au
Email for Sydney PHU: SLHD-Immunisation@health.nsw.gov.au

• Process: Steps to take in a Cold Chain Breach
• Poster: What is cold chain breach?
• Poster: CCB Flowchart
• Information sheet: Why report a CCB?
• Order stickers: CCB stickers
• Poster: “Isolated Vaccines” poster
• Click here to download complete set of ‘Cold chain breach’ resources

Alternative vaccine storage – Power failure or fridge malfunction

• Transporting vaccines – ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 8
• Managing a Power Failure – ‘Strive for 5’, Appendix 9
• Power Failure Action Plan  – CESPHN Information Sheet
• Alternative Vaccine Storage Options in a Power Failure – CESPHN Information Sheet
• How to pack a cooler – NSW Health Strive for 5
• Temperature monitoring chart for esky/cooler – NSW Health
• HLP MediTemp min/max thermometer – CESPHN user guide
• Annual maintenance of portable minimum/maximum thermometers – NSW Health Strive for 5

Data Loggers

• Data loggers on the market: What is a data logger? – CESPHN Information Sheet

LogTag Data Logger

• LogTag user guide: LogTag – how to download, analyse and configure

EliTech Data Logger

• EliTech – How to download data
• EliTech – How to configure 

Tiny Tag Data Logger

• Tiny Tag – How to download data
• Tiny Tag – How to interpret data

Other Cold Chain Resources

• Guide on how to organise vaccine fridge
• Template: fridge map for solid door vaccine fridges 
• How to check cold chain monitors when receiving vaccine deliveries 
• Where to rent a fridge if required for flu vaccines

Cold Chain when Moving Premises

• Moving Premises
• Things to consider when Opening, closing, or moving practice