Responding to emergencies in fixed storage locations

The SOP, titled TAN-EVM-SOP-E3-01, outlines the policies and objectives for ensuring the correct storage temperatures for vaccines and diluents. The policy emphasizes the importance of responsible personnel knowing the correct storage temperatures for all vaccines and diluents, as well as identifying which products are heat and freeze sensitive. The objectives of the SOP are to list the products kept in the vaccine supply chain and state the temperatures at which they should be stored at fixed sites, excluding temperatures during transport operations. The responsibility for ensuring that vaccine and diluents are stored at correct temperatures lies with logisticians, health workers, storekeepers, and immunization officers. These personnel are responsible for day-to-day operations and must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the SOP. The SOP provides detailed information on the storage temperatures for various vaccines and diluents at different supply chain levels, including central vaccine stores, regional vaccine stores, district vaccine stores, and health facilities. The storage temperatures for specific vaccines and diluents are as follows: - bOPV: Store at -15°C to -25°C - OPV: Store at +2°C to +8°C - BCG: Store at +2°C to +8°C, with the option to temporarily store at -15°C to -25°C under exceptional circumstances - MR: Store at +2°C to +8°C - Rotavirus: Store at +2°C to +8°C - PCV13: Store at +2°C to +8°C - TT: Store at +2°C to +8°C - DTP-HepB-Hib: Store at +2°C to +8°C - Hepatitis B: Store at +2°C to +8°C - HPV: Store at +2°C to +8°C - IPV: Store at +2°C to +8°C In the event of an emergency, such as a freezer room or vaccine freezer breakdown, OPV and lyophilized vaccines can be temporarily stored at +2°C to +8°C. However, all other vaccines must not be frozen, and diluents must never be frozen. The SOP also emphasizes the importance of storing diluents at room temperature, except at health facility level, where all diluents must be stored at +2°C to +8°C. The SOP is supported by related documents and SOPs, including TAN-EVM-SOP-E2-01, TAN-EVM-SOP-E6-02, TAN-EVM-SOP-E6-05, and TAN-EVM-SOP-E6-06. Annex 1 of the SOP provides a list of WHO-recommended storage temperatures for various vaccines and diluents, sourced from the WHO/IVB/08.01 training module for mid-level managers, updated in April 2011.