COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling
- All vaccine doses administered must be entered into LINKS within 24 hours and inputted as administered, NOT historical.
- COVID-19 vaccines can be ordered through LINKS. All COVID-19 vaccines are currently available to order.
- Enrollment to become a COVID-19 provider is currently open. The state encourages all providers to enroll.
In the event of COVID-19 vaccine loss:
- Download, then complete the VFC/COVID-19 Vaccine Loss Report.
- Email the report to your regional immunization consultant. Find your regional immunization consultant on the homepage of LaLinks.org.
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The Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit is a comprehensive guide that reflects best practices for vaccine storage and handling from Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, product information from vaccine manufacturers, and scientific studies.
The Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit has been updated with a COVID-19 Vaccine Addendum with information on storage and handling best practices for COVID-19 vaccines. This addendum will be updated with specific storage and handling information for each COVID-19 product. Click the Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit image to view, download, and print.
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UPDATED! COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Quick Reference Guide |
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) are aware of the challenges providers are having to purchase digital data loggers (DDL) due to high market demand and low supply. The following is a list of temperature monitoring devices the CDC prefers starting with the most preferred choice:
| Priority | Temperature Monitoring Device | Temperature Reading |
| 1st choice | New Digital Data Logger | Check/record min/max before clinic day |
| 2nd choice | Recently expired (≤ 2 years) Digital Data Logger | Check/record min/max before clinic day |
| 3rd choice | Maximum-Minimum Thermometer | Check/record min/max before clinic day |
| 4th choice | Digital Thermometer | Check/record temperature before and at the end of the clinic day |
If the DDL logger is not available, recently expired DDLs, mix/max thermometers, and digital thermometers can be used as a temporary fix until a DDL can be obtained.
Please note that if, during a Vaccines for Children (VFC) or COVID-19 site visit, a provider is found to have an expired DDL or a non-DDL thermometer, the provider will still be documented as being in non-compliance with VFC or COVID-19 temperature-monitoring requirements, for which follow-up will be warranted. This documenting of non-compliance in the midst of the DDL shortage is meant to ensure proper tracking for providers who need to purchase a DDL when supplies are available.
The CDC recommends temperature monitoring devices with the following characteristics:
- Provide monitoring information with an active display
- A digital thermometer with a detachable probe that best reflects vaccine temperature (e.g., a probe
buffered with glycol, glass beads, sand, or Teflon®) - Include an alarm for out-of-range temperatures
- Have a reset button if using a digital data logger with a min/max display
- Be capable of showing current temperature, as well as minimum and maximum temperatures
- Be within +/- 0.5 °C accuracy (+/-1°F).
- Have a low battery indicator
Please keep in mind that each temperature monitoring device has different temperature reading requirements. Future VFC/COVID-19 follow-up will continue to be triggered for DDL non-compliance. Being temporary, these allowances will be rescinded by CDC once the market returns to normal.
For guidance on ordering digital data loggers, access the 2021 Louisiana Vaccines for Children Program Digital DataLogger Thermometer Guide found on lalinks.org under VFC/VOMS.
- Health Alert Network Message 21-62: FDA Approval of Pfizer Vaccine
- Health Alert Network Message 21-61: Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Again Available for Ordering and Pfizer Minimum Direct Shipment Size Increased
- Health Alert Network Message 21-40: FDA Authorizes Refrigerator Storage of Thawed, undiluted Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Up to 1 Month, Making Vaccine More Widely Available
- Health Alert Network Message 21-39: Louisiana Department of Health Adopts FDA and CDC Guidance to Immediately Expand Eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in Adolescents Ages 12-15
- Health Alert Network Message 21-32: Provider Ordering of COVID-19 Vaccine in LINKS
- Health Alert Network Message 21-04: Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines Receiving & Storage from Direct Delivery
- Health Alert Network Message 21-03: Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines Receiving & Storage from Morris & Dickson
These storage and handling fact sheets illustrate best practices for both refrigerated and frozen vaccines. Written in plain language, they include assessments to reinforce key points.
Temperature Monitoring Best Practices for Refrigerated Vaccines (Feb 2018)
Fahrenheit (F) | Celsius (C)
Temperature Monitoring Best Practices for Frozen Vaccines (Feb 2018)
Fahrenheit (F) | Celsius (C)
Storage Best Practices for Refrigerated Vaccines (Feb 2018)
Fahrenheit (F) | Celsius (C)
Storage Best Practices for Frozen Vaccines (Feb 2018)
Fahrenheit (F) | Celsius (C)
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You Call the Shots: Vaccine Storage & Handling Module is an interactive, web-based module that provides learning opportunities, self-test practice questions, reference and resource materials, and an extensive glossary. Continuing education credit is available.