- Keep vaccines, whether opened or unopened, in their original box with the lid on until it’s time to use them. Some vaccines need protection from light.
- Make sure there are calibrated thermometers with Certificates of Traceability and Calibration in both the fridge and freezer. Check and note down the temperatures in the morning and at the end of the workday.
- Have a current vaccine emergency handling plan. Exposure of a vaccine to temperatures outside the recommended range requires immediate corrective action.
| Vaccine(s) | Diluent – Store Between: | Vaccine – Store Between: |
| DTaP,Tdap, Td | No diluent | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) |
| Hepatitis A | No diluent | |
| Hepatitis B | No diluent | |
| Hib (ActHIB, Hiberix) | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) | |
| Hib (PedvaxHIB) | No diluent | |
| HibMency (MENHIBRIX) | 36°F & 77°F (2°C & 25°C) | |
| HPV9 (Gardasil9) | No diluent | |
| Influenza (QIV) | No diluent | |
| Meningococcal (MCV4 – Menactra) | No diluent | |
| Meningococcal (MCV4 – Menveo) | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) | |
| Meningococcal Group B (Trumenba) | No diluent | |
| Meningococcal Group B (Bexsero) | No diluent | |
| Pneumococcal (PCV, PPSV) | No diluent | |
| Polio (IPV) | No diluent | |
| Rotavirus (RV-5 RotaTeq) | No diluent | |
| Rotavirus (RV-1 Rotarix) | 68°F & 77°F (20°C & 25°C) | |
| MMR | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) | -58°F & 46°F (-50°C & 8°C)* |
| Varicella | 36°F & 77°F (2°C & 25°C) | -58°F & 5°F (-50°C & -15°C) |
| Zoster | 36°F & 77°F (2°C & 25°C) | -58°F & 5°F (-50°C & -15°C) |
| Combination Vaccines | ||
| DTaP-IPV (Kinrix) | No diluent | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) |
| DTaP-HepB-IPV (Pediarix) | No diluent | |
| DTaP-IPV/Hib (Pentacel) | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) | |
| HepA-HepB (Twinrix) | No diluent | |
| MMRV | 36°F & 46°F (2°C & 8°C) | -58°F & 5°F (-50°C & -15°C) |
*MMR may be stored in either refrigerator or freezer.
For more information, see CDC’s Vaccine Storage & Handling Guide
