Any new facility or healthcare provider office planning on providing vaccines will require a visit from a nurse with the Vaccine Preventable Disease Team at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. A nurse will discuss storage and handling practices with the person most responsible for the maintenance and ordering of vaccines. Once the vaccine fridge has been inspected, and the facility/office has met the storage and handling expectations, vaccines may be ordered.
Each new facility will be provided with a copy of the Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines (Ministry of Health & Long Term Care, 2006), a cooler, thermometer and ice pack/insulating blanket for transportation of vaccine. New facilities will need to purchase a Min/Max thermometer for their vaccine fridge. Thermometers may be purchased through the health unit.
Key tips for Storage and Handling of Vaccines
