The CDC states that improper storage is the most common vaccine delivery problem they experience*. Vaccines need to be kept at certain temperature ranges to maintain their efficacy. For refrigerated vaccines, this temperature is between +36 to +46°F or +2 to +8°C. For freezer vaccines, this range is 5°F or -15°C and lower. (See "CDC Recommendations")

The CDC recommends using continuous, certified and calibrated thermometers to monitor these critical vaccine conditions. Dickson manufactures an extensive line of chart recorders and data loggers that continuously monitor and record the temperatures of vaccines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With these devices you will know exactly when and how long your vaccines remained at any given temperature. This information is crucial in determining the potency of your vaccine supply.

Chart Recorders

Dickson has designed the VFC70 (farenheit) and the VFC21 (celsius) chart recorders specifically for monitoring the storage of vaccines in either the refrigerator or freezer. These recorders feature easy-to-read charts that highlight acceptable vaccine temperature ranges for both the refrigerator and freezer.

Data Loggers

Dickson's new vaccine temperature data loggers with jumbo display offer all the key features including high/low alarm, min/max display, SD Flash memory cards, and much more! Glycol bottles provide temperature stabilization thuseliminating false alarms due to refigerator and freezer cycling and frequent door opening. Mounted on the outside os the refigerator or freezer, the VFC320 had one emote probe to place inside the storage unit and the VFC325 had two remote probes to monitor both the refigerator and freezer (see Vaccine Monitoring Guidelines)

Vaccine Shipping
From manufacturer to patient, vaccines are moved to where they need to go. Vaccines are transferred from the vaccine manufacturer to the distributor, from the distributor to the providers' office and/or from the distributor to a clinic and eventually administered to the patient. It is crucial that proper storage temperatures be maintained at every link in the cold chain.

Exposure of vaccines to temperatures outside the recommended ranges can adversely affect their potency and reduce the protection they provide. Refrigerator and freezer vaccines must stay at appropriate temperatures to remain potent, safe for vaccine recipients, and no doses lost to temperature fluctuations. Dickson continuous temperature recorders and data loggers monitor the temperatures of the containers when vaccines are shipped.

This compact 3" chart recorder is rugged enough to withstand the rigors of transportation and storage applications. It is small enough to fit in your hand and in your shipping container. Identify whether you are transferring refrigerated vaccines or freezer vaccines. There is an SC3 specific for each of the vaccine ranges. Accessories that can be purchased include a calibration certificate, carrying case, tamper seals and water-resistant pouch.

For shipping refrigerated vaccines, use the SC386 in your cooler container. This unit's temperature range is +22 to +68°F or

-5 to 20°C. Also order charts for this unit based on whether you are measuring in °F or °C and whether you need 7 day or 24 hour monitoring.

For freezer vaccines, use the SC367 in the shipping container. This unit's temperature range is -14 to +32°F or -25 to 0°C. Also order charts for this unit based on whether you are measuring °F or °C and whether you need 7 day or 24 hour monitoring.

So compact, slightly larger than a quarter! You can put SK500 data loggers in the smallest of shipping containers. So inexpensive and reusable, you can monitor your critical vaccine shipments with great accuracy and easily download the temperature data. These loggers use our popular DicksonWare™ software. Kit includes 12 temperature data loggers.

*Bechtel, Bryan. "Poor Storage led to thousands of recalls in Minnesota." Infectious Diseases in Children 15.10 Oct. 2002: 15.