Guidance

Vaccines stored outside the recommended temperature range

Leaflet for parents explaining what happens when vaccines have inadvertently been stored outside of the recommended storage temperature range.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 9 December 2014
• Last updated: 19 September 2019 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

The use of vaccines that have been temporarily stored outside the recommended temperature range

HTML

The use of vaccines that have been temporarily stored outside the recommended temperature range leaflet

Ref: UKHSA gateway number 2022566

PDF, 281 KB, 2 pages

Details

It is recommended that vaccines are kept at a cool temperature at all stages of production, distribution and storage – this is known as the ‘cold chain’.

Not all vaccines that have fallen outside the recommended storage temperature need to be destroyed – some vaccines can still be used. However, if they are used, they are described as being ‘off-label’ vaccines.

This leaflet provides information on why vaccines are kept under controlled temperature conditions and what ‘off-label’ vaccines are. It is intended for parents, carers and patients. This leaflet is available for download only.

Published 9 December 2014
Last updated 19 September 2019 + show all updates

1. 19 September 2019

   Updated leaflet.

2. 21 October 2016

   Updated 'off-label' vaccine factsheet.

3. 9 December 2014

   First published.