Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/14/2019 IZ- Website ColoradoVFC Review May 09
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/iz-website-coloradovfc-review-may-09 1/2
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) haveprovided the following guidelines for the proper
storage and handling of VFC vaccines:1. VFC providers must have appropriate
equipment that can store and assist withmaintenance of proper conditions ofvaccines.
2. Refrigerators without freezers, and stand-alone freezers, may be better atmaintaining the required temperatures. However,a combination refrigerator/freezer unit sold forhome use is acceptable for vaccine storage if therefrigerator and freezer compartments each havea separate external door.
3. Refrigerators or freezers used for vaccine storagemust comply with the following requirements:
Be able to maintain enough requiredvaccine to hold the year's largest inventory;
At a minimum, have a working certifiedthermometer inside each storagecompartment. Grantees may require VFCproviders to have a calibrated certifiedthermometer inside each storagecompartment. Calibration must betraceable to standards provided by theNational Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST) (a U.S. Governmentagency within the Commerce Department)or a laboratory recognized byNIST. Calibration can be traceable to NIST
using American Society for Testing andContinued on page 2
M A Y 2 0 0 9
Colorado VFC Review
In each Colorado VFC Review:Tips to Stay CompliantProgram Reminders
Items to Keep Top of Mind
Please read & post for others in your practice!
For more information contact: Debra Zambrano, PHNCVFC Clinical Coordinator
Colorado Immunization Program 1-866-530-1813 fax: 719-543-8441
Welcome to the Colorado Vaccine for Children (VFC) Review!
New Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for 2009
In partnership with the Colorado ImmunizationProgram, the Colorado Vaccines for Children Projectand the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition,welcome to the Colorado VFC Review!
This periodic email and fax blast will quickly updateyou on all you need to know about the VFC program.We promise to keep it short, sweet and to-the-point soyou can get back to caring for your patients!
This review will keep you informed of changes tovaccines and vaccine storage without an onslaught of
memos. We will continue to use memos as a way todeliver urgent updates, but reminders and routineinformation will be communicated through theColorado VFC Review.
Please make sure to read the information in eachissue and pass it along to anyone else in yourpractice that might need these important updates.
Thank you for keeping Colorado’s kids healthythrough immunizations!
8/14/2019 IZ- Website ColoradoVFC Review May 09
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/iz-website-coloradovfc-review-may-09 2/2
Want to get the Colorado VFC Update via email? Just email your name, title and practice name to...Debra Zambrano, VFC Clinical Coordinator for the Colorado Immunization Program
Materials (ASTM) methods for the calibrationprocess;
Be dedicated to the storage of vaccines. (Foodand beverages must not be stored in a vaccinestorage unit because this practice results infrequent opening of the door and destabilization ofthe temperature.)
Are “Dorm Style” refrigerators acceptable storageunits for VFC vaccines? Yes and No!
Dormitory-style refrigerators should only be used tostore a clinic's single-day supply of refrigerated vaccines, and these vaccines should be returned tothe main refrigerator storage unit at the end of eachclinic day. Dormitory-style refrigerators are notadequate for long-term or permanent storage ofbiological products because they do not maintainappropriate temperatures.
Storage of VFC vaccine in refrigerators that aredesigned for use in small household spaces such asdorm rooms are never acceptable for permanent
storage of VFC vaccines. Permanent storage is
defined as: the vaccine supply is maintained in theunit 24 hours-a-day.
CDC has never recommended that these small dorm-type refrigerators be used as permanent storage unitsfor VFC vaccines. In 2008-2009, CDC is requiring allVFC programs to work with their enrolled VFCproviders to eliminate the use of dorm-stylerefrigerators as permanent storage units for VFCvaccines. To that end, all dorm-style refrigerators
must be phased-out of currently enrolled VFC-provider offices by December 31, 2009. TheColorado VFC Program has been working withproviders that have these units so the transition toacceptable VFC vaccine storage units will becompleted by December 31, 2009. Effectiveimmediately, all newly enrolling VFC providers cannotuse a dorm-style refrigerator as a permanent storageunit for VFC vaccine.
For more information check out:http://www2a.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/shtoolkit/
CONT. New Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for 2009
BENCHMARKING REMINDER Benchmarking packets went out to ALL VFCproviders during the month of March. If you did notreceive your benchmarking packet please contactNicole Ortiz, VFC Operations Coordinator at 303-692-2334, immediately .
All benchmarking information and re-enrollmentpaperwork needs to be completed and returned toNicole no later than May 29, 2009. Pleaseremember, the Provider Signature page needs to besigned by the appropriate individual, as stated onthe form.
Failure to return the benchmarking/re-enrollmentinformation by the due date will lead to atemporary suspension of VFC vaccineshipments.
FLU VACCINE PRE-ORDERS FOR 2009-2010 FLU SEASON
All pre-orders for flu vaccine for the next flu seasonshould have been returned to the VFC program bythe end of March. If you failed to submit a pre-order,you must wait until August/September, and submityour regular flu vaccine order at this time.
The CDC requires the VFC Program Flu vaccine
pre-order be submitted by the end of April thereforethe program is unable to take any more pre-ordersat this time.
