Transporting Vaccines
Vaccines should not be routinely transported due to risk of cold-chain excursions. Review manufacturer guidance to ensure the cold chain is maintained during transport, use recommended packing materials that provide maximum protection, and carefully follow transport protocols.
Prior Approval Required
Vaccines may be transported during emergencies or to ensure short-dated vaccines can be used by another provider before expiration. Vaccines may also be transported when conducting off-site clinics. In both instances, prior approval from Field Representatives or the vaccine program is required.
Use Caution
- Use recommended transport containers and materials. Read more.
- Use data loggers—not shipper temperature indicators—to monitor temperatures—ideally using portable, battery-operated or other temporary-powered coolers.
- Use Hourly Temperature Log (PDF) to track temperatures and transport time.
- Total transport time alone (or transport plus clinic workday) should be a maximum of 8 hours unless manufacturer guidance differs.
- Transport diluents with associated vaccines to ensure there are always equal amounts for reconstitution; do not freeze diluents for varicella-containing vaccines—even in transport.
Frozen Vaccines
Frozen vaccines may not be administered off-site unless there is prior approval from Field Representatives or the vaccine program. If vaccines like MMRV or VZV are going to be offered, they may be thawed and transported with refrigerated vaccines for the off-site clinic only. Any doses not used at the clinic must be used within 72 hours of thawing.
Alternately, frozen vaccines may be transported using a portable freezer that will maintain appropriate frozen temperatures throughout transport and the off-site clinic day. This type of equipment is not common for most providers, but if available, it must be thoroughly documented in the mobile vaccine management plan for Field Representative review.
How to Transport Vaccines
Follow the provider’s vaccine management plan and guidance in Transporting Refrigerated Vaccine (PDF) or Transporting Frozen Vaccine (PDF) using the Vaccine Transport Log (PDF).
