Cold Chain

A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain which includes the storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines

Vaccines may lose their effectiveness if they become too hot or too cold at any time. Vaccines naturally biodegrade over time, and storage outside of the recommended temperature range – including during transport – may speed up loss of potency, which cannot be reversed. This may result in the failure of the vaccine to create the desired immune response and consequently provide poor protection.  Inappropriate storage and transport also results in wastage and unnecessary costs to the NHS.

Green Book, Chapter 3

Cold Chain and Incident Guidance 

PHE Cold Chain Guidance 

• Letter template (england.nhs.uk) 
• Storage, distribution and disposal of vaccines: the green book, chapter 3 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Vaccine Incident Guidance 

Vaccine incident guidance: Responding to errors in vaccine storage, handling and administration (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Off Label Vaccine leaflets 

• Off-label vaccine: leaflets – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
• Off-label vaccines: an introductory guide for healthcare professionals – text version – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

CQC myth buster guidance 

GP myth buster 17: Vaccine storage and fridges in GP practices – Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk) 

Protocol for Ordering Storing and Handling of Vaccines   

Vaccine Incident Guidance   

Keep Your Vaccines Healthy Poster   

Immform Portal   

Specialist Pharmacy Service Refrigerated Stability Tool  

This new tool provides advice on whether refrigerated medicines can or can’t be used after exposure to out-of-range temperatures. The data is the same as that held previously on the fridge database, but have been reformatted to make it clearer and more concise for the user.

Temperature management meds storage Temperature management for medicines storage – SPS – Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice