Preventing Vaccine Wastage through Site Visits Colorado Vaccines for Children Program

Why an initial site visit? Basically the Colorado Vaccines for Children (VFC) program wanted to properly instruct our VFC providers in cold chain management, storage and handling, and vaccine inventory management procedures.

OR We at the Colorado VFC program wanted to instruct our new VFC providers on proper procedures before they developed the infamous “bad” procedures. We have all come to know and love.

Advantages of a doing an initial site visit It allows a representative of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program to inspect the refrigerator and freezer at the providers facility. It can also allow a representative of the VFC program to properly instruct the personnel at the facility in proper cold chain management, and its importance in maintaining viable vaccine. And finally, a representative of the VFC program can instruct VFC provider personnel in proper ordering procedure, vaccine inventory management, and vaccine return policy.

Inspection refrigerator and freezer Things to look for during inspection Determine if refrigerator and freezer are in good shape and capable of storing vaccine. Check temperatures in both refrigerator and freezer to verify they are both with the excepted temperature ranges. What to do if temperatures are out of range.

Cold Chain Management Explanation of what Cold Chain Management consists of. Beginning with receipt of vaccine order. Staff who will be handling vaccine. Storage of vaccine in proper area What to do with vaccine if viability of vaccine is questioned.

Tools to assist in cold chain management Temperature logs Handouts Thermometers Temperature tracers (recorders) Orange warning tags

Emergency Plan KEEP IT SIMPLE KEEP IT UPDATED One page front & back Include contact information Location of supplies to transport or store vaccine. Instructions on how-to properly store the vaccine Where to take vaccine if necessary KEEP IT UPDATED Keep contact information current Verify supplies are where they are suppose to be Update the vaccine packaging instructions if necessary

Proper ordering, inventory management, and vaccine return Monthly ordering Inventory management Vaccine return

Who received site visits New VFC enrollees for 2002 2003 2004

Data compared by year Number of site visits received by providers. Look at the number of doses wasted. Determine wastage in dollar amount.

Number of Total Site Visits

Number of New Providers & Site Visits Combined

Doses Wasted

Wastage by Year ($)

Where do we go from here Continue storage and handling visits for new providers Identify providers that hire new staff and are in charge of the VFC vaccines within their offices Regional presentations

Conclusion So by addressing the issues of cold chain management, storage and handling, and inventory management procedures. You can make a difference in vaccine wastage.

Contact Information Rudy Balquin Colorado Immunization Program 303-692-2334 rudy.balquin@state.co.us