Providers participating in any of California’s vaccination programs agree to monitor storage unit temperatures in compliance with VFC Program requirements.
Protect Vaccines. Protect Patients.
Twice daily temperature monitoring prevents vaccine loss and potential revaccination by identifying out-of-range temperatures for immediate corrective action. Repeated exposure to too warm temperatures can compromise vaccines gradually. A single exposure to too cold temperatures can destroy vaccines immediately. Both can produce an insufficient immune response in your patients.
Four Factors for Success
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Well-trained staff
All staff who monitor storage unit temperatures must be fully trained on data logger set up and use. Staff must know how to record storage unit temperatures and respond to temperature excursions.
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Reliable equipment
Routine maintenance of VFC-compliant storage units and data loggers helps ensure temperatures remain within ranges that protect vaccines.
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Accurate and complete documentation
Locations must record current, MIN and MAX temperatures on CDPH’s temperature log (PDF). If temperatures logs are not accurate and complete, documentation may be insufficient for manufacturers to determine if vaccines may be used after temperature excursions.
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Careful supervisor review
Supervisors must ensure temperature logs are complete, temperature data files were downloaded and corrective action taken for all temperature excursions. Ensure staff report temperature excursions in myCAvax and follow manufacturer or system guidance before administering affected vaccines.
How to Record Temperatures
Record storage unit temperatures on this temperature log (PDF) and see guidance for step-by-step instructions including required actions for temperature excursions.
Additional Resources