NEW REQUIREMENT DUE 3/17/23: CDC Recommended Vaccine Storage/Organization

Dear Immunization Partner,

Please share the following with colleagues and staff who manage vaccine storage and handling in your offices.

The intent of this email is to provide up-to-date information regarding storage & handling practices for the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program vaccines, private vaccine (if used for VFC vaccine replacement) and for Covid-19 program vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviews and updates their recommendations regularly to provide best practice guidance involving vaccines. The CDC recommends vaccines to be stored in their original packaging with lid closed until administration and between uses. In a situation where this is not feasible, then the recommendation is for the vaccine to be placed in an “amber light sensitive bag” (this should not be common practice). If any current vaccine has been stored/handled in something other than the amber bags, the provider needs to contact the manufacturer to determine vaccine viability.

Provided for reference purposes only, see the google searches below for amber light sensitive bags. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Division of Immunization does not endorse any brand or website. MDHHS is allowing up until 3/17/23 to obtain these bags in your practices.

Website links:
Amazon.com : amber light sensitive bags
Bags Archives - Maxpert Medical
Amber Poly Bags UV Resistant - Poly Bags (discountplasticbags.com)

Toolkit storage and handling/CDC information:
Vaccines Storage and Handling Toolkit | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf
At-A-Glance Resource Guide: Vaccine Administration and Storage and Handling-June 18, 2018 (cdc.gov)

If you have any questions, please contact your local health department.

Thanks,

MDHHS Division of Immunization