Vaccine storage in the physician's office: a community study.

BACKGROUND A survey was conducted of 26 physician offices and the County Health Department to determine the quality of vaccine storage. METHODS All refrigerators were examined for secure electrical supply, firmly shut door, storage of inappropriate items, and expired vaccines. A maximum-minimum thermometer was then placed in the middle of the storage area for 24 hours, and temperatures were recorded. RESULTS Of the 27 sites, only two had refrigerator temperatures in which both maximum and minimum temperatures fell within the acceptable range of 2 degrees to 8 degrees C. Sixty-three percent fell below minimum, 59 percent were above maximum, and 93 percent fell either below or above or both. Eight of the offices had a designated cold chain monitor, but there was no correlation with appropriate monitoring and storage of vaccines. Nine of the offices had permanent thermometers, but no correlation could be found between these sites and appropriate storage temperatures. CONCLUSIONS A majority of vaccines in the community have been exposed to conditions that could reduce or destroy their potency. Physicians must educate their personnel in proper storage techniques of vaccines to ensure the potency of these vaccines.