GPP-Gen
Infection Prevention Quality Improvement Tools
Care Setting Process Improvement Tool: GP Surgery/Health Centre
Module: Vaccine Storage and Transportation
Date: ______________________________ Auditors:__________________________________________________________________________
Standard: Vaccines are stored and transported safely
Question set: Vaccine Storage and Transportation – Policies and Procedures
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Question
Is there a procedure/policy for the storage
and transport of vaccines available? (39)
Is an audit completed at least annually?
Is there a named individual who is
responsible for receiving and storing
vaccines? (39)
Is there a named deputy who is responsible
for receiving and storing vaccines? (39)
Have staff attended training which includes
guidelines and information on vaccine
storage and the maintenance of the cold
chain? (39)
Guidance
Check documentation
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Check the last audit and review
action plan
Check who the person is
Check who the person is
Check training records
Question set: Receipt of Vaccines
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Question
Are all vaccines checked against the
delivery note? (39)
Are vaccines placed in a designated
vaccine refrigerator on delivery? (39)
Are vaccine types, brands, quantities, batch
numbers, expiry dated and date and time
received recorded? (39)
Guidance
Check a recent delivery note
Observe practice or ask member of
staff to describe process.
Check documentation
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GPP-Gen
Infection Prevention Quality Improvement Tools
Care Setting Process Improvement Tool: GP Surgery/Health Centre
Question set: Storage of vaccines
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Question
Are the vaccines stored in a designated
vaccine refrigerator which is fit for purpose
and is not a domestic type? (39)
Does the refrigerator have an uninterrupted
electrical supply?
Is the refrigerator situated away from a heat
source and is air able to freely circulate
around it?
Are the contents evenly distributed within
the refrigerator to allow air to circulate? (39)
Is there no more than 4 weeks worth of
vaccines (39)
Is the refrigerator locked? (39)
Guidance
Visually check
Is the refrigerator located in an area with
restricted public access? (39)
Are vaccines stored in their original
packaging? (39)
Are vaccines in date? (39)
Check the area is supervised by
staff
Check vaccines in fridge
Are vaccine stocks rotated and used
according to date? (39)
Is the refrigerator serviced on a regular
basis in line with manufacturer’s
instructions? (39)
Is the refrigerator checked, defrosted and
cleaned monthly? (39)
Are the vaccines kept in an approved cool
box with a maximum and minimum
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Check the refrigerator is wired
directly into the socket
Check refrigerator is not next to a
radiator
Check fridge contents
Ask staff member average number
of vaccines used each week
Visually check
Check a selection of vaccine expiry
dates
Check the dates on the front and
the back
Check service report
Check documentation and fridge for
ice and cleanliness. If the vaccine
fridge is self defrosting then the
question can be answered as not
applicable
Observe practice or ask a member
of staff to describe procedure
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GPP-Gen
Infection Prevention Quality Improvement Tools
Care Setting Process Improvement Tool: GP Surgery/Health Centre
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thermometer or in an alternative refrigerator
while this fridge is being defrosted? (39)
Are temperature checks performed and
recorded each working day? (39)
Is a maximum and minimum temperature
thermometer being used? (39)
Are recorded temperatures within the
acceptable range of 2-8 degrees C? (39)
Has the refrigerator an alarm which
activates when its temperature exceeds 8
degrees C, or when it falls below 2 degrees
C? (39)
Is there a system in place for safe disposal
of expires/surplus/damaged vaccines? (39)
Check documentation
Check thermometer
Check temperature monitoring
record
Check manufacturer’s instructions
Ask staff member to describe
process
Question set: Transportation of vaccines
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Question
Are vaccines only removed from the base
refrigerator immediately before leaving for
an external session? (39)
Are vaccines returned immediately to the
base refrigerator after an external session?
(39)
During transport, are vaccines wrapped in
bubble wrap (or similar insulation material)
and stored in a suitable approved cool box
with a minimum and maximum thermometer
with cool packs? (39)
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Guidance
Observe practice or ask a member
of staff to describe procedure
Yes
No
N/A
Comment
Observe practice or ask a member
of staff to describe procedure
The need for insulation material
may vary check manufacturer’s
instructions fore each cool box
Department of Health (2006) “Immunisation against Infectious Disease” – The Green Book@ Department of Health TSO London
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