One of the major causes of deterioration of vaccines in the USA is improper refrigeration. Moreover, accidental freezing destroys temperature-sensitive vaccines in many cases. Today, research laboratories and pharmacies have recognized the differences between scientific and standard cold storage solutions.

At AI Medical, we provide innovative pharmacy and vaccine cold storage solutions designed specifically to store vaccines, biological specimens, and samples. It is also important to place vaccines at the right place inside the refrigerator or freezer for optimal temperature control. This helps in protecting the vaccines from potential damage and errors.

Unlike the standard refrigerators and freezer models, our scientific cold storage solutions are high-performing, giving precise temperature control to store high-value and critical storage like vaccines. This specialized equipment meets the CDC requirements for cold storage of temperature-sensitive samples and products.

How to Select the Right Storage?

Selecting the right cold storage solution is critical to the integrity and safety of pharmacy products and vaccines. When you need to equip your laboratory or pharmacy with a refrigerator, you need to consider certain things.

What To Know When Choosing a Medical Refrigerator

Several medical refrigerator choices are available in various styles, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some factors which you should consider when selecting the right vaccine cold storage solution.

• Consider the type of refrigerator or freezer
• Size of refrigerator or freezer
• Placement in the laboratory or pharmacy
• Other features such as self-closing doors, medical-grade cords, etc.
• Requirements of temperature for storing vaccines
• Shelving for ensuring proper flow of air

The Right Freezer for Your Needs

According to the CDC recommendations, the right freezer is purpose-built and pharmaceutical-grade units designed specifically for storing vaccines and samples. These freezers can have under-the-counter style, compact or large, depending on your storage and placement needs.

Purpose-built units usually offer maximum temperature control via the microprocessor and have a digital sensor for temperature. Plus, they also have powerful fan-forced air circulation or multiple vents for cool air. This helps in promoting uniform and fast recovery of temperature when the temperature is out of range. In order to ensure the full safety of your costly vaccines, your freezer should have ample space to accommodate the maximum number of inventory without overcrowding.

AI Medical provides a wide range of state-of-the-art refrigeration and freezer units designed to protect and safely store your vaccines. Our latest technology ensures to minimize your costly vaccine losses and maximize your cold storage.

The Coronavirus outbreak has negatively affected many places around the world. Efforts are underway to introduce vaccines in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. As vaccines are ready to get into the distribution phase, the medical world expects a severe cold storage crisis.

Now the question is how cold storage units such as ultra-low freezers safeguard vaccines and biological substances that the demand for them is on the rise. 

So, Why are Ultra-low Freezers in Demand, and How Do They Help? 

When it comes to vaccines or other biological substances, their chemical structures are such that they share a strong resemblance with dairy products in terms of storage requirements. Hence, it is very important to comply with these storage requirements so as to keep their integrity and effectiveness intact. 

It is for this same reason that ultra-low freezers are in demand as it helps when it comes to retaining the chemical structure of these vaccines and biological substances. 

These ultra-low freezers cater to vaccines. They have pharmaceutical approval to store vaccines, whether they need to be refrigerated or frozen. Dormitory or bar-styled refrigerators are don’t have the temperature regulation for vaccines. 

Moreover, ultra-low freezers come with a microprocessor in combination with digital sensors. This something that vaccines require as it is important to probe their temperature levels every now and then. 

In addition to this, cold storage units such as ultra-low freezers have such a design that they are spacious enough to accommodate a maximum number of vaccines without any overlap or overcrowding.

The vaccines comprise a particular set of active ingredients that is responsible for providing immunity to patients. These ultra-low freezers come with cooling systems that help in preserving these active ingredients. When a vaccine is at room temperature, even for just an hour or two, the active ingredients can lose their potency. 

This is why ultra-low freezers are important throughout both the production and distribution phase in order to keep the active ingredients effective.

These freezers come with multiple features, including alarms, such as to facilitate the remote opening of doors and to notify immediately should a power failure occurs. They are also equipped with alarms that notify in case a compressor failure occurs.

The drawers to facilitate the storage of other biological substances such as plasma and human cells are removable to easily access them. 

Conclusion

Even the slightest mismanagement of these vaccines can result in serious consequences. Considering that the vaccines are on their way and demand for these cold storage units is only soaring with each passing day, we cannot stress enough how important it is for the medical facilities to focus on buying them. If you don’t know where to go, don’t worry at all!

Feel free to reach out to Ai Medical Tech Team. We assure you that you won’t be disappointed as customer satisfaction is what our business thrives on. We are just a call away! 

While thousands of Americans look forward to the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine, it just boils down to one pressing question: do medical facilities have enough freezers to store them?

With healthcare facilities such as pharmacies, clinics and hospitals turning into vaccination sites, very few of them have deep or ultra-low freezers to facilitate storage. This is creating a mad rush and the public-health and logistics industry is working hard to devise a cold storage chain that can facilitate the delivery of vaccines without losing their integrity and effectiveness.

Vaccine Storage Equipment 

When it comes to vaccines, their storage requirements are similar to that of dairy and meat variants, such as ice creams and steaks in marts. They need a particular temperature range for storage. The ultra low temperature retains its chemical structure.

The drug industry seems to have lots of information when it comes to knowing the ideal temperature range to store vaccines for chickenpox as well as shingles. However, when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers lack the data as clinical trials with respect to storage requirements are still in progress.

The reason that deep freezers are turning into a hot commodity is that vaccines are the only key to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus. And, as these vaccines start making their way into the markets, a terrible cold-storage shortage is set to come up. As clinical trials and testing approach phase 3, pharmaceutical companies expect to distribute vaccines to different vaccination sites by the end of 2020 or as 2021 commences. Considering that the time of distribution is fast approaching, many clinical facilities have yet to make the necessary arrangements to store the vaccines when they arrive.

The two largest pharmaceutical companies in the vaccination race, have worked towards vaccines bearing special technology, which they call mRNA. It is a gene-based technology that requires storing the vaccine shots at ultra-low temperatures. To make this possible, medical sites need to be well-equipped in terms of deep freezers or, to put it exactly, ultra-low freezers.

However, ultra-low freezers are not really a common sight in healthcare facilities as most medications and vaccines don’t as such need them. While chickenpox vaccines are stored in the freezer, flu vaccines require simple refrigeration.

With COVID-19 vaccines, it is important to acquire deep freeze facilities in order to maintain its effectiveness. After all, the vaccine already comes with a short shelf life, regardless of meeting ultra low-temperature requirements. In fact, they must be utilized within six months.

It is important to have the right facility in terms of storage for COVID-19 vaccines. These preparations will determine the course of distribution.

A lack of deep or ultra low freezer will mean that the access to these vaccines shall vary from country to country. This is because experts intend to target countries based on appropriate storage facilities when it comes to vaccine distribution.

One of the major causes of deterioration of vaccines in the USA is improper refrigeration. Moreover, accidental freezing destroys temperature-sensitive vaccines in many cases. Today, research laboratories and pharmacies have recognized the differences between scientific and standard cold storage solutions.

At AI Medical, we provide innovative pharmacy and vaccine cold storage solutions designed specifically to store vaccines, biological specimens, and samples. It is also important to place vaccines at the right place inside the refrigerator or freezer for optimal temperature control. This helps in protecting the vaccines from potential damage and errors.

Unlike the standard refrigerators and freezer models, our scientific cold storage solutions are high-performing, giving precise temperature control to store high-value and critical storage like vaccines. This specialized equipment meets the CDC requirements for cold storage of temperature-sensitive samples and products.

How to Select the Right Storage?

Selecting the right cold storage solution is critical to the integrity and safety of pharmacy products and vaccines. When you need to equip your laboratory or pharmacy with a refrigerator, you need to consider certain things.

What To Know When Choosing a Medical Refrigerator

Several medical refrigerator choices are available in various styles, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some factors which you should consider when selecting the right vaccine cold storage solution.

• Consider the type of refrigerator or freezer
• Size of refrigerator or freezer
• Placement in the laboratory or pharmacy
• Other features such as self-closing doors, medical-grade cords, etc.
• Requirements of temperature for storing vaccines
• Shelving for ensuring proper flow of air

The Right Freezer for Your Needs

According to the CDC recommendations, the right freezer is purpose-built and pharmaceutical-grade units designed specifically for storing vaccines and samples. These freezers can have under-the-counter style, compact or large, depending on your storage and placement needs.

Purpose-built units usually offer maximum temperature control via the microprocessor and have a digital sensor for temperature. Plus, they also have powerful fan-forced air circulation or multiple vents for cool air. This helps in promoting uniform and fast recovery of temperature when the temperature is out of range. In order to ensure the full safety of your costly vaccines, your freezer should have ample space to accommodate the maximum number of inventory without overcrowding.

AI Medical provides a wide range of state-of-the-art refrigeration and freezer units designed to protect and safely store your vaccines. Our latest technology ensures to minimize your costly vaccine losses and maximize your cold storage.

AI Medical remains at the forefront of clinical and lab vaccine, sample and other temperature-sensitive storage technologies. We have introduced a range of compact refrigerators that maintain optimal conditions for cold storage. These refrigerators provide sustainable clinical storage, quiet operations, and minimize energy consumption.

Address Your Clinical and Laboratory Cold Storage Needs with Compact Refrigerators

We have specifically designed this compact refrigerators series to address the cold storage needs of healthcare facilities and clinical laboratories. This series facilitates secure, noiseless, and energy-efficient storage of medicines, breast milk, medicines, clinical lab samples, vaccines, and more with a small footprint.

Features of Our Compact Refrigerators Series

Our exclusive, compact refrigerator series provides uninterrupted stability of temperature and readiness, compatible with clean-room for reliable and efficient storage of your most sensitive items. With excellent performance and energy-efficiency, this series consumes far less energy than the same models.

This new series of compact refrigerators use eco-friendly refrigerants to minimize the impact of greenhouse gas emission. Moreover, it features alarm notifications that notify temperature fluctuations, power failure, and door ajar.

The compact refrigerator series for sustainable clinical storage is available in varying configurations to meet the various cold storage needs of clinics and laboratories. It also provides support for some of the third-party solutions to monitor temperature variations in clinical settings. This enables precise temperature control and management for storing and management of critical samples.

Get in touch with us to know more about our series of compact refrigerators, explicitly designed for healthcare, laboratory, and clinical settings!

Why Proper Storage and Handling of Vaccine is Vital?

The storage of vaccines at a recommended temperature range is critical to ensure the quality, integrity, and safety of vaccines. Exposure to inappropriate temperatures out of the recommended vaccine storage ranges reduces the potency of vaccines and decreases their effectiveness and protection they offer significantly.

Errors in storage and handling often cost the loss of thousands of dollars. Such errors also result in patient’s confidence loss in your vaccine and services due to repeated vaccine dosage requirements. So it is better not to give a vaccine dose to the patient than administrating a mishandled vaccine.

Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines Following CDC Standards

You have to follow the CDC Standards for proper vaccine storage and handling from manufacturing to administration to save your vaccines from potential efficacy loss and wastage. Assuring the quality of vaccine and maintenance of the cold chain is a responsibility shared among manufacturers, vaccine distributors, suppliers, healthcare staff, and healthcare providers.

Best Practices for Monitoring Refrigerated and Frozen Vaccines Temperature

For Refrigerated Vaccines

As per the CDC Standards, the following are the best practices for monitoring refrigerated vaccines temperature:

• Store refrigerated vaccines at 40 degrees F and 5 degrees C
• Never put refrigerated vaccines in a freezer except for MMR
• Immediately report when the temperature is out of range
• Record temperature on a daily basis
• Check the minimum and maximum temperature at the beginning of the workday
• Check recent temperature whenever you open the refrigerator to access vaccines
• In case of out of range temperatures, immediately get in touch with local or state health department or call manufacturers directly for private vaccines. Communicate the total time for which the vaccines remained in out of range temperature conditions.

For Frozen Vaccines

As per the CDC Standards, the following are the best practices for monitoring frozen vaccines temperature:

• Keep the thermostat setting at the mid-point temperature or factory set setting (-58 degree F to 5 degrees F setting or -50 degree C to -15 degree C setting)
• Immediately report when the temperature is out of range
• Record temperature on a daily basis
• Check the minimum and maximum temperature at the beginning of the workday
• Check recent temperature whenever you open the refrigerator to access vaccines
• In case of out of range temperatures, immediately get in touch with local or state health department or call manufacturers directly for private vaccines. Communicate the total time for which the vaccines remained in out of range temperature conditions.

Best Practices for Storage of Refrigerated and Frozen Vaccines

For refrigerated Vaccines

• Immediately unpack vaccines and place them in suitable storage containers or trays to allow proper airflow
• Put vaccines with early expiry in front
• Limit exposure to light by keeping vaccines in their original boxes
• Separate vaccines and label them by type and private or public vaccine
• Store refrigerated vaccines at 40 degrees F and 5 degrees C
• Ensure that the refrigerator door is closed correctly
• Use water bottles instead of crisper bins to help in the maintenance of consistent temperature
• Label ‘Do not drink’ on water bottles
• Always leave a gap of 2-3 inches between refrigerator walls and vaccine containers
• Place ‘Do not unplug’ sign on the refrigerator and nearby electrical outlet
• Do not store vaccines in a dormitory-style refrigerator

For Frozen Vaccines

• Immediately unpack vaccines and place them in suitable storage containers or trays to allow proper airflow
• Put vaccines with early expiry in front
• Limit exposure to light by keeping vaccines in their original boxes
• Separate vaccines and label them by type and private or public vaccine
• Keep the thermostat setting at the mid-point temperature or factory set setting (-58 degree F to 5 degrees F setting or -50 degree C to -15 degree C setting)
• Ensure that the freezer door is closed correctly
• Use water bottles instead of crisper bins to help in the maintenance of consistent temperature
• Label ‘Do not drink’ on water bottles
• Always leave a gap of 2-3 inches between freezer walls and vaccine containers
• Place ‘Do not unplug’ sign on the freezer and nearby electrical outlet
• Do not store vaccines in a dormitory-style freezer

As the clinical trials approach phase 3, Pfizer and Moderna, the vaccine developers, have announced that the vaccines require low temperatures for storage. Considering that the distribution is set to start as 2020 ends, and with flu season at its peak, healthcare facilities will require more space to store the copious amount of vaccines. Experts predict that the requirement will rise to such an extent that it might result in a storage shortage crisis.

The two vaccine developers have put forth their temperature needs. According to Moderna, their vaccines need a temperature of -4°F. On the other hand, Pfizer’s vaccines need a temperature of -94°F (ultra low temperature).

There are not enough ultra low freezers in most clinics or healthcare facilities to meet such needs. And since the demand for these freezers will only increase in the upcoming months, it is best to buy an ultra low freezer now than to regret later.

What are ultra low freezers, and how do they work?

Laboratories use ultra low freezers as they have the ability to maintain the quality of vaccines. Furthermore, ultra low freezers come in various sizes and shapes, including upright-style, chest, among other under-counter styles. Speaking of size, it ranges from 5 to 49 cubic ft. As for the temperature, it ranges from -58°F to -130°F.

These ultra low freezers use a cascade refrigeration system. They come with thermodynamic features that help in spinning temperatures down to ultra low. It is a system that makes use of two types of refrigerants with boiling points that differ. The biggest advantage of using this freezing system is that it can reduce the power consumption by 9.5 percent.

Which ultra low freezer in terms of style is best?

Below is an insight into various styles of ultra low freezers that will help you make an informed decision as you buy one.

Upright Style: An upright ultra low freezer is best if you want to store a large number of biomedical supplies. This style will make them accessible to you. Moreover, if a medical facility wants to store a large supply of vaccines, then there is nothing better than an upright ultra low freezer.

Under counter Style: It is ideal for small medical facilities such as pharmacies and clinics that are often short on storage space and don’t stock vaccines with temperature-sensitivity. They are quite compact in size and promise cold storage of the highest quality.

Chest: A chest-styled ultra low freezer offers great efficiency. In addition to this, the best part is that it is not at all high maintenance as it is quite efficient when it comes to using the compressor.

The Bottom Line          

Considering that COVID-19 vaccines need an environment with ultra low temperatures for storage, delaying the purchase of ultra low freezer is not a wise decision.

Advanced medical facilities must make arrangements to buy ultra low freezers so that they stand ahead amidst these testing times and provide optimal services.

AI Medical offers a wide range of ultra low freezers that allows you to exercise control over temperature. Our broad selection of life science freezers and refrigerators provides medical and healthcare facilities and pharmacies with reliable and efficient cold storage solutions.