Continuous temperature monitoring is an essential component of each clinic’s vaccine management plan, but data logger reliability is a critical factor that helps to ensure vaccine viability. Providers participating in any of California’s vaccination programs agree to use devices that comply with California VFC Program requirements.

What Are Data Loggers?

Digital data loggers (also called “continuous temperature monitoring devices” or “data loggers”) continuously read and record temperatures to provide an accurate report of vaccine temperatures over time. Data loggers

• monitor vaccine temperatures continuously—even when the practice is closed,
• may have alert capabilities to notify clinic staff of temperature excursions during non-business hours,
• determine how long vaccines have been exposed to out-of-range temperatures,
• prevent unnecessary vaccine losses when excursion time frames cannot be precisely determined, and
• save recorded temperature data as an electronic file for analysis of temperature trends over time.

Primary & Backup Devices

Participating providers must use a VFC-compliant data logger in every refrigerator and freezer storing publicly supplied vaccines. Practices must also have at least one battery-operated backup data logger to use when a primary device is being calibrated, during emergency vaccine transport, or if a primary device fails. Depending on the size of the practice, additional data loggers may be needed.

Data Logger Specifications

Unacceptable Temperature Monitoring Devices

Purchasing Considerations

When You're Ready to Purchase

Certificates of Calibration

Because monitoring devices experience a “drift” over time that affects their accuracy, all data loggers must be certified for accuracy every two to three years or according to the manufacturer’s suggested timeline. Every data logger must have a valid and current certificate of calibration on file. Calibrate primary and backup devices on different schedules to ensure all refrigerators and freezers are always equipped with compliant data loggers.

Preparation for Recertification

Two to three months in advance of annual recertification, clinics are strongly encouraged to verify that all data loggers are calibrated, certificates of calibration are current, and expiration dates are documented in the clinic’s vaccine management plan.

Additional Resources

• Comparison Guide
• Pre-Purchase Worksheet
• Data Logger Setup and Use
• Data Logger Calibration Testing

Videos:

• Introduction to Digital Data Loggers 
• Webinar with Q & A
• Best Practices for Temperature Monitoring Afternoon Teach Webinar |  Promo Email