Guide to Receiving, Storing, and Handling Vaccines
yy This guide is not a substitute for the package insert included with each vaccine.
yy Visually inspect vaccines for floating particles and/or discoloration before administration.
yy Keep vaccines in their original boxes to protect them from exposure to light (which can affect potency) and to help keep them organized.
yy Open multi-dose vials can be used until the expiration date on the vial, unless contaminated.
Vaccine
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
Handling
Preparing/reconstituting
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
Diphtheria, tetanus,
pertussis (DTaP)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
drawing up in syringe or after
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
placing needle on pre-filled
32°F or below.
syringe.
Tetanus, diphtheria
(DT, Td, )
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve
32°F or below.
DTaP–HepB–IPV
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
syringe.
32°F or below.
• Use until expiration date noted
on vial, unless contaminated.
DTaP–IPV–Hib
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
• Gently shake vial of liquid
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
withdrawal from the vial.
DTaP-IPV and withdraw entire • Discard if not used within 30
• Don’t expose to temperatures
contents.
32°F or below.
minutes of reconstitution.
• Inject DTaP-IPV into the vial
• Protect both diluent and
of ActHIB powder and shake
powder from exposure to light
well.
(i.e., store in original box).
• Withdraw entire contents,
about 0.5 mL.
Daptacel, Infanrix
DT generic, Td generic,
Decavac
Pediarix
Pentacel
Immunization Program
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
651-201-5503, 1-800-657-3970
www.health.state.mn.us/immunize
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
placing needle on pre-filled
syringe.
• Multi-dose vials: refrigerate
unused portions. May be
used until expired, unless
contaminated.
Page 1 of 7 (10/13)
Vaccine
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
Handling
Preparing/reconstituting
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
DTaP–IPV
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
32°or below.
syringe.
• Use until expiration date
noted on vial, unless
contaminated.
Tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis (Tdap)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
syringe.
32°or below.
Haemophilus influenzae
type b (Hib)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Use only diluent supplied with • Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
ActHIB or Hiberix.
drawing up in syringe.
• Don't expose to temperatures • Reconstitute ActHIB or
• Use ActHIB and Hiberix
32°or below.
Hiberix just before using.
within 24 hours of
• Protect from exposure to light • Inject the entire volume of the
reconstitution when stored in
(i.e., store in original box).
diluent into the vial of vaccine.
refrigerator.
• Diluent: may be refrigerated or
• Shake well.
stored at room temperature 68º
• Withdraw entire volume of
to 77ºF (20º to 25ºC).
reconstituted ActHIB or
0.5 mL Hiberix.
Hepatitis A
(Hep A)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
syringe.
32°or below.
Hepatitis B
(HepB)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
syringe.
32°or below.
HepA–HepB
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
32°or below.
syringe.
• Use until expiration date
noted on vial, unless
contaminated.
Kinrix
Adacel, Boostrix
ActHIB
Hiberix
PedvaxHIB
Havrix, Vaqta
Engerix-B, Recombivax HB
Twinrix
Hib–HepB
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
MDH, Immunization Program
Comvax
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Use until expiration date
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
noted on vial, unless
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
contaminated.
32°or below.
Page 2 of 7 (10/13)
Vaccine
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
Handling
Preparing/reconstituting
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
Human papillomavirus
(HPV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
drawing up in syringe.
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve. • Discard if not used by end of
32°F or below.
workday.
• Protect from exposure to light
(i.e., store in original box).
Polio, inactivated
vaccine (IPV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
drawing up in syringe or after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
placing needle on pre-filled
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
32°F or below.
syringe.
• Multi-dose vials: refrigerate
unused portions. May be
used until expired, unless
contaminated.
Influenza, inactivated
(IIV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
withdrawing from the vial or
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
after placing needle on pre• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
filled syringe.
32°F or below.
•
Multi-dose vials: refrigerate
• Protect Fluarix,Flulaval,
unused portions. May be
Flucelvax, and Flublok from
used until expired, unless
exposure to light (i.e., store in
contaminated.
original box).
• For use during current flu
season; check expiration dates.
Influenza, live
attenuated (LAIV)
• May arrive frozen or partially
frozen
• Packed with refrigerator
packs
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Remove the rubber tip
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
protector from the sprayer.
• Don't store in the freezer.
• Deliver ½ dose into one
• Don’t expose to temperatures
nostril.
32°F or below.
• Remove the dose-divider clip
and deliver the remaining ½
dose into the other nostril.
• Administer immediately
after removing from the
refrigerator.
• For use during current flu
season; check expiration dates.
• Note: shelf life is 18 weeks
(4½ months).
Japanese Encephalitis
(JE)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don’t use if they don’t dissolve
32°F or below.
• Protect from exposure to light
(i.e., store in original box).
• Administer immediately after
reconstitution.
• Use within 8 hours after
reconstitution.
Cervarix, Gardasil
Ipol
Afluria, Agriflu, Fluarix,
Flublok, Flucelvax, Flulaval,
Fluvirin, Fluzone
Flumist
Ixiaro
MDH, Immunization Program
Page 3 of 7 (10/13)
Vaccine
Measles, mumps,
rubella (MMR)
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
• Packed with refrigerator
packs
M-M-R II
• Should arrive frozen
ProQuad
Preparing/reconstituting
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
• Refrigerate immediately at
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC) OR
freeze below 5ºF (-15ºC).
• MDH recommends storing
MMR in the freezer, not the
refrigerator.
• Protect from exposure to light
(i.e., store in original box).
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
• Use only the diluent supplied
withdrawal from the vial.
with the vaccine.
• Use within 8 hours of
• Inject the entire volume of the
reconstitution when stored
diluent into the vial of vaccine
in refrigerator and protected
and shake well.
from light. Discard unused
• Withdraw entire contents,
portions after 8 hours.
about 0.5 mL.
• Don't freeze reconstituted
vaccine.
• Multi-dose vials: refrigerate
unused portions. May be
used until expired, unless
contaminated.
• Keep frozen below 5ºF (-15ºC).
• Once vaccine has been
removed from the freezer
it can be stored in the
refrigerator and administered
up to 72 hours, but can’t be
re-frozen.
• Protect from exposure to light
(i.e., store in original box).
• Reconstitute just before using.
• Use only the diluent supplied
with the vaccine.
• Inject 0.7 mL of diluent into
the vial of vaccine and shake
well.
• Withdraw entire contents,
about 0.5 mL.
• Diluent: may be refrigerated
or stored at room temperature,
68º to 77ºF (20º to 25ºC). Don't
expose to temperatures 32°or
below.
Measles, mumps,
rubella, varicella
(MMRV)
Handling
• Diluent: may be refrigerated or
stored at room temperature, 68º
- 77ºF (20º - 25ºC). Don't expose
to temperatures 32°or below
• Administer immediately after
withdrawal from the vial.
• Mark the date and time the vial
was removed from the freezer.
• Use within 30 minutes of
reconstitution when protected
from light.
• Don't freeze reconstituted
vaccine.
Meningococcal C/Y –Hib • Packed with refrigerator
Menhibrix
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
reconstitution.
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Use only the diluent supplied
• Discard if not used within 30
• Don’t expose to temperatures
with the vaccine.
minutes of reconstitution.
32°or below.
• Inject 0.6 mL of diluent into
•
Don’t freeze reconstituted
• Diluent: may be refrigerated
the vial of vaccine and gently
vaccine.
or stored at room temperature,
shake well.
68º to 77ºF (20º to 25ºC).Don’t
• Withdraw entire contents,
expose to temperatures 32°or
about 0.5 mL.
below.
Meningococcal
conjugate (MCV)
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
withdrawal from the vial.
• Don't expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
32°or below.
Menactra
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
MDH, Immunization Program
Page 4 of 7 (10/13)
Vaccine
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
Handling
Preparing/reconstituting
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
Meningococcal
conjugate (MCV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
• Gently shake vial of liquid
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
reconstitution.
MenC,Y,W-135 and withdraw • Use within 8 hours of
• Protect both diluent and
entire contents.
powder from exposure to light
reconstitution.
•
Inject MenC,Y,W-135 into
(i.e., store in original box).
the vial of MenA powder and
• Don’t expose to temperatures
shake well.
32°F or below.
• Withdraw entire contents,
about 0.5 mL.
Meningococcal
polysaccharide (MPSV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Reconstitute just before using.
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Use only the diluent supplied
• Don't expose to temperatures
with the vaccine.
32°or below.
• Inject 0.7 mL of diluent into
• Diluent: may be refrigerated
the vial of vaccine and gently
or stored at room temperature,
shake well.
68º to 77ºF (20º to 25ºC).Don't
• Withdraw entire contents,
expose to temperatures 32°or
about 0.5 mL.
below.
Pneumococcal
conjugate (PCV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
withdrawing from the vial or
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve.
after placing needle on pre32°F or below.
filled syringe.
Pneumococcal
polysaccharide (PPSV)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
• Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
withdrawal from the vial.
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don't use if they don't dissolve. • Multi-dose vials: refrigerate
32°F or below.
unused portions. May be
used until expired, unless
contaminated.
Rabies
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Use only the diluent supplied
withdrawal from the vial.
• Don't expose to temperatures
with the vaccine.
• Use within 30 minutes of
32°or below.
• Shake vial gently to suspend
reconstitution.
mixture.
Rotavirus (RV1)
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Use only the diluent supplied
withdrawal from the vial.
• Don’t expose to temperatures
with the vaccine.
• Use within 24 hours of
32°F or below.
• Mix oral diluent into powder,
reconstitution when stored in
• Protect from exposure to light
shake, and return mixed
the refrigerator.
(i.e., store in original box).
liquid to oral applicator to
administer.
Menveo
Menomune
Prevnar 13
Pneumovax
Imovax, RabAvert
Rotarix
MDH, Immunization Program
• Administer immediately after
reconstitution.
• Discard if not used within 30
minutes of reconstitution.
• Don't freeze reconstituted
vaccine.
• Multi-dose vials: Mark with
date of use and refrigerate
unused portions. Use within
35 days of reconstitution.
Page 5 of 7 (10/13)
Vaccine
Rotavirus (RV5)
Rotateq
Typhoid, inactivated
Typhim Vi
Typhoid, oral
Vivotif
Varicella (VAR)
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Remove dosing tube from
• Administer immediately
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
pouch, turn the cap clockwise
after removing from the
• Don’t expose to temperatures
to puncture the tube, and
refrigerator.
32°F or below.
unscrew the cap counter• Protect from exposure to light
clockwise so that the liquid
(i.e., store in original box).
can be squeezed from the
tube for oral administration.
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Shake vial well before use.
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Look for floating particles;
• Don’t expose to temperatures
don’t use if they don’t
32°or below.
dissolve.
• Administer immediately after
withdrawal from the vial.
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
• Refrigerate immediately at
• Oral capsule
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Don’t expose to temperatures
32°or below.
• Oral capsule
• Should arrive frozen
• Keep frozen below 5ºF (-15ºC).
• Once vaccine has been
removed from the freezer
it can be stored in the
refrigerator and administered
up to 72 hours, but can’t be
re-frozen.
• Protect from exposure to light
(i.e., store in original box).
• Reconstitute just before
using.
• Use only the diluent supplied
with the vaccine.
• Inject 0.7 mL of diluent into
the vial of vaccine and shake
well.
• Withdraw entire contents,
about 0.5 mL.
• Administer immediately after
withdrawal from the vial.
• Mark the date and time the vial
was removed from the freezer.
• Use within 30 minutes of
reconstitution when protected
from light.
• Don't freeze reconstituted
vaccine.
• Refrigerate immediately at
35º to 46ºF (2º to 8ºC).
• Reconstitute just before using. • Administer immediately after
• Use only the diluent supplied
reconstitution.
with the vaccine.
• Use within 1 hour of
• Inject the entire volume of the
reconstitution.
diluent into the vial of vaccine
and allow to sit for 2 minutes;
then carefully swirl mixture.
• Do not shake vigorously.
• Withdraw entire contents,
about 0.5 mL.
• Diluent: may be refrigerated or
stored at room temperature, 68º
- 77ºF (20º - 25ºC). Don't expose
to temperatures 32°or below
YF-Vax
Preparing/reconstituting
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
Varivax
Yellow fever
Handling
• Packed with refrigerator
packs in winter OR frozen
packs in summer
• Never frozen
MDH, Immunization Program
• Diluent: may be refrigerated
or stored at room temperature,
68º to 77ºF (20º to 25ºC).Don’t
expose to temperatures 32°or
below.
Page 6 of 7 (10/13)
Vaccine
Zoster (ZOS)
Receiving
Storing
Arrival condition
Storage requirements
Preparing/reconstituting
Shelf life after opening/reconstituting
• Keep frozen below 5ºF (-15ºC).
• Once vaccine has been
removed from the freezer
it can be stored in the
refrigerator and administered
up to 72 hours, but can’t be
re-frozen.
• Protect from exposure to light
(i.e., store in original box).
• Reconstitute just before
using.
• Use only the diluent supplied
with the vaccine.
• Inject 0.7 mL of diluent into
the vial of vaccine and shake
well.
• Withdraw entire contents,
about 0.65 mL.
• Administer immediately after
withdrawal from the vial.
• Mark the date and time the vial
was removed from the freezer.
• Use within 30 minutes of
reconstitution when protected
from light.
• Don't freeze reconstituted
vaccine.
• Should arrive frozen
Zostavax
• Diluent: may be refrigerated or
stored at room temperature, 68º
- 77ºF (20º - 25ºC). Don’t expose
to temperatures 32°F or below.
MDH, Immunization Program
Handling
Page 7 of 7 (10/13)