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Section 1. Active and Passive Immunization
ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION
Vaccine Handling and Storage
Inattention to vaccine storage conditions can contribute to vaccine failure. Certain vaccines, such as measles, varicella, yellow fever, and OPV vaccines, are sensitive to increased temperature. Other vaccines are damaged by freezing; examples include diphtheria and tetanus and pertussis vaccines (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis [DTaP]), IPV vaccine, H influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, pneumococcal polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines, hepatitis A and B vaccines, inactivated influenza vaccine, and meningococcal vaccines. Some products may show physical evidence of altered integrity, and others may retain their normal appearance despite a loss of potency. Therefore, all personnel responsible for handling vaccines in an office or clinic setting should be familiar with standard procedures designed to minimize risk of vaccine failure. Recommended storage conditions for commonly used vaccines are listed in Table 1.4 (p 11); new vaccines and new formulations of currently available products may have storage requirements different from those listed. In addition, storage recommendations may be revised by the manufacturer. Revisions require approval by the FDA.
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Recommendations for handling and storage of selected biologicals are summarized in the package insert for each product and in a publication, Vaccine Management, available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
1 The most current information about recommended vaccine storage conditions and handling instructions can be obtained directly from manufacturers; their telephone numbers are
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