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CDC Vaccine Storage Guidelines Excerpts from the Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit Updated January 2023

NIST Calibrated Temperature Monitoring CDC recommends this as a minimal action to protect your vaccine supply Vaccine Storage Units: Refrigerator and Freezer Recommendations There are several types of vaccine storage units available. Purpose-built units are specifically designed to store vaccines. Use purpose-built or pharmaceutical-grade units designed to either refrigerate or freeze. These units can be compact, under-the-counter style or large. Purpose-built units, sometimes referred to as “pharmaceutical-grade,” are designed specifically for storage of biologics, including vaccines. These units often have: • Microprocessor-based temperature control with a digital temperature sensor (thermocouple, resistance temperature detector [RTD], or thermistor) • Fan-forced air circulation with powerful fans or multiple cool air vents promoting uniform temperature and fast temperature recovery from an out-of-range temperature.

CDC Best Practice – CDC recommends best practices as additional actions, practices, and procedures to enhance protection of your vaccine supply.

Temperature Ranges Refrigerators should maintain temperatures between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F)*. Freezers should maintain temperatures between -50°C and -15°C (-58°F and +5°F). Ultra-cold freezers should maintain temperatures between -90°C and -60°C (-130°F and -76°F). Refrigerator or freezer thermostats should be set at the factory-set or midpoint temperature, which will decrease the likelihood of temperature excursions. Temperature Monitoring Device (TMD) Every vaccine storage unit must have a TMD. An accurate temperature history that reflects actual vaccine temperatures is critical for protecting your vaccines. Investing in a reliable device is less expensive than replacing vaccines wasted due to the loss of potency that comes from storage at out-of-range temperatures. CDC recommends a specific type of TMD called a “digital data logger” (DDL). A DDL provides the most accurate storage unit temperature information, including details on how long a unit has been operating outside the recommended temperature range (referred to as a “temperature excursion”). Unlike a simple minimum/maximum thermometer, which only shows the coldest and warmest temperatures reached in a unit, a DDL provides detailed information on all temperatures recorded at preset intervals.

* For more information, download the Toolkit at cdc.gov.