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An unprecedented heat wave has begun to blanket much of Washington and is expected to continue through this week. COVID-19 vaccine providers should continue to administer vaccine while taking extra precautions to protect vaccine recipients and caregivers, clinical staff and vaccine doses.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) does not recommend holding outdoor clinics. If necessary, consider limiting them to just morning hours before temperatures become extreme, and keep the vaccine at refrigerated temperatures until the last possible moment before vaccine administration. Check storage unit temperatures frequently. Protect staff and visitors by providing shade, fans and refreshments. For additional information on hot weather safety visit the DOH Hot Weather Safety webpage.
All individuals, including those fully vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings in health care settings like hospitals, long-term care, or doctor’s offices. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings and practice physical distancing in public. Additional information is available from DOH here: Guidance on Cloth Face Coverings (PDF).
Recipients should spend the post-vaccination observation period in an air-conditioned space (including their cars), as long as staff can observe them.
Indoors, be aware of ambient room temperature. Vaccines can be stored for various periods of time at room temperature before use—but only room temperature as defined by the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs). For safer ways to create air movement for cooling when air conditioning units and a central HVAC system are not available, DOH has issued the following guidance: Creating Safer Air Movement for Cooling with Consideration of COVID-19.
The following periods are the room temperature limits in time:
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Pfizer: unpunctured up to 2 hours and up to 6 hours after puncture and mixing at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit)
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Moderna: unpunctured up to 24 hours and punctured up to 12 hours at room temperature (up to 77F)
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Johnson & Johnson: unpunctured up to 12 hours and punctured up to 2 hours at room temperature (up to 77 degrees Fahrenheit)
It is important to closely observe room temperatures, if the temperature exceeds 77 degrees Fahrenheit, it is no longer considered safe storage. If room temperature is at or approaching 77 degrees Fahrenheit, modify your workflow so vaccines are kept refrigerated up until the moment they are administered.
With Pfizer vaccine, also keep diluent under 77 degrees Fahrenheit so that it does not damage the vaccine when they are mixed.
We do not recommend transporting vaccine at temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is necessary to transport vaccine at higher temperatures, be sure to transport it in suitable transport containers inside of the passenger compartment (not the trunk) of a vehicle. Before moving the vaccine transport container into the vehicle, cool the vehicle interior to a comfortable temperature.
Along with high temperatures comes the possibility of power loss. Immunization providers need a plan in case power blackouts occur in their area, whether controlled or caused by high wind. Back-up generator power that supplies your vaccine storage units is the ideal way to do this. The next-best approach is an agreement with a nearby facility that could accommodate your vaccine stocks in their own temperature-monitored, generator-supplied units in the event of a power outage. In some cases, a prepared “qualified container and packout” (see glossary of the CDC's Storage and Handling Toolkit) could store vaccine safely for a few days without any power.
With the summer season, we can anticipate future hazards including extreme heat, power outages, high winds, wildfires and smoke. It is a great time to finalize your vaccine protection plan should your operations be impacted.
We appreciate your careful stewardship of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please remember, vaccine supply has stabilized in Washington, and vaccinated people are more important than wasted vaccine. Do not hesitate to give a COVID-19 vaccination whenever possible.
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