Thakker Y, Woods S
Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.
BMJ. 1992 Mar 21;304(6829):756-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.304.6829.756.
To assess quality of storage of vaccines in the community.
Questionnaire survey of general practices and child health clinics, and monitoring of storage temperatures of selected refrigerators.
Central Manchester and Bradford health districts.
45 general practices and five child health clinics, of which 40 (80%) responded. Eight practices were selected for refrigeration monitoring.
Adherence to Department of Health guidelines for vaccine storage, temperature range to which vaccines were exposed over two weeks.
Of the 40 respondents, only 16 were aware of the appropriate storage conditions for the vaccines; eight had minimum and maximum thermometers but only one of these was monitored daily. In six of the eight practices selected for monitoring of refrigeration temperatures the vaccines were exposed to either subzero temperatures (three fridges) or temperatures up to 16 degrees C (three). Two of these were specialised drug storage refrigerators with an incorporated thermostat and external temperature gauges.
Vaccines were exposed to temperatures that may reduce their potency. Safe storage of vaccines in the clinics cannot be ensured without adhering to the recommended guidelines. Provision of adequate equipment and training for staff in maintaining the "cold chain" and the use and care of equipment are important components of a successful immunisation programme.
评估社区疫苗的储存质量。
对全科医疗诊所和儿童健康诊所进行问卷调查，并监测选定冰箱的储存温度。
曼彻斯特市中心和布拉德福德健康区。
45家全科医疗诊所和5家儿童健康诊所，其中40家（80%）作出回应。选取8家诊所进行制冷监测。
遵守卫生部疫苗储存指南情况，疫苗在两周内暴露的温度范围。
在40名受访者中，只有16人知晓疫苗的适宜储存条件；8家有最低和最高温度计，但其中只有1家每天进行监测。在选取进行制冷温度监测的8家诊所中，有6家诊所的疫苗暴露于零下温度（三台冰箱）或高达16摄氏度的温度（三台）。其中两台是配有内置恒温器和外部温度表的专用药品储存冰箱。
疫苗暴露于可能降低其效力的温度下。不遵守推荐指南就无法确保诊所疫苗的安全储存。为工作人员提供充足设备以及关于维持“冷链”及设备使用和保养的培训，是成功免疫规划的重要组成部分。
