A guide to managing vaccine inventory

Sanofi Pasteur is committed to helping you and your staff meet the increasing complexities of vaccine management.

Vaccine Inventory Management Solution (VIMS)

Vaccine Inventory Management Solution

VIMS is a complimentary service designed to be an evolving total solution that adapts to the changing obligations of your vaccine inventory, storage, handling, and organizational needs. Simply log onto www.VaccineShoppe.com and click on Resources.

The following tools are also available for immediate download:

Safe Vaccine Handling and Storage Checklist
Reconstitution: Quick and Easy (Flashcard)

Practical advice for storage of vaccine inventory

• More than 1 individual should be familiar with all aspects of vaccine storage and handling. Make sure there are at least 2 staff members who know how to handle vaccines when they arrive, how to record refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and what to do in case of an equipment problem or power outage.21
• Remind staff to close refrigerator doors tightly each time they are used and check door seals regularly to avoid ruined stock. Also look for excessive lint or dust on the coils and clean as necessary. After any adjustments have been made, document the nature of the problem and actions you took. Be sure to document the date, time, and temperature, and recheck the temperature every 2 hours.21
• Check the refrigerator at the beginning and end of the day to determine if it is too cold or too warm. Purchasing a refrigerator with thermometers that measure and record temperatures all day and all night may be worth the investment. A certified thermometer that tracks maximum and minimum temperatures is a less expensive alternative. Only certified thermometers should be used for vaccine storage. Recording the room temperature on your temperature log may help you determine whether the vaccines can still be used if there is a problem with the refrigerator or freezer temperature.21
• It's important to store vaccines in the original packaging in the center of the refrigerator, because the temperature may be significantly warmer or colder in other areas. Vaccines should be stored so that air can circulate around the compartment, so don't over-pack the refrigerator.21
• Keeping temperature logs for 3 years can help you track problems such as out-of-range temperatures. With the logs as documentation, you can determine how long a problem has been occurring and take appropriate action.21
• Every practice or clinic that stores vaccines needs an emergency plan for a power outage or natural disaster. A written Disaster Recovery Plan should identify a refrigerator with a back-up generator where you can store vaccines during a power outage or natural disaster. Ask a local hospital or similar facility to be your back-up location in an emergency.21 If you determine that the appropriate refrigerator temperature has not been maintained for vaccines stored there, please contact your insurance company.

Indication
Pentacel vaccine is indicated for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. Pentacel vaccine is approved for use as a 4-dose series in children 6 weeks through 4 years of age (prior to fifth birthday).

Safety Information
The most common local and systemic adverse reactions to Pentacel vaccine include injection site redness, swelling, and tenderness; fever, fussiness, and crying. Other adverse reactions may occur. Known systemic hypersensitivity reaction to any component of Pentacel vaccine or a life-threatening reaction after previous administration of the vaccine or a vaccine containing the same substances are contraindications to vaccination.

The decision to give Pentacel vaccine should be based on the potential benefits and risks; if Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of a prior vaccine containing tetanus toxoid; or if adverse events have occurred in temporal relation to receipt of pertussis-containing vaccine. Encephalopathy within 7 days of administration of a previous dose of a pertussis-containing vaccine or a progressive neurologic disorder is a contraindication. Vaccination with Pentacel vaccine may not protect all individuals.

Before administering Pentacel vaccine, please see the full Prescribing Information.

Pentacel vaccine is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Limited and Sanofi Pasteur SA and distributed by Sanofi Pasteur Inc.