Table 3.

Vaccine husbandry: key points for veterinary practitioners

Vaccines should be kept in a designated refrigerator that is only used for storage of drugs and vaccines (not foodstuff or drinks)

The electricity supply to a vaccine refrigerator should be safeguarded against inadvertent breaks by use of a switchless electric socket or a plug clearly marked “do not switch off”

Vaccines (and particularly adjuvanted vaccines) have an optimum storage temperature that is usually between 2 and 8°C (domestic refrigerators should be maintained at 4°C). These products should not be frozen or positioned adjacent to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator, and refrigerator temperature should be monitored regularly by use of a maximum–minimum thermometer located in the main body of the refrigerator. Ideally, the temperature of the refrigerator should be charted in a log book on a daily basis

Vaccines should be stored in the refrigerator with adequate room for air to circulate enabling a constant temperature to be maintained around the products

Vaccines should be stored in the refrigerator within the manufacturer's packaging

Certain shelves should be designated for specific vaccines and the location of vaccines listed outside the refrigerator. This will minimise the time the door is kept open while accessing vaccines

Correct stocks of vaccines should be maintained, without overstocking

Stock should be rotated so new stock is placed at the back

Vaccines transported into the field should also be subject to continuation of the “cold chain.” They should be transported in a cold box, but not put in direct contact with ice or ice packs

Freeze‐dried vaccines should be reconstituted immediately before use with appropriate diluent or liquid vaccine given concurrently (as per manufacturer's recommendations). It is bad practice and contraindicated to make up first thing in the morning the vaccines anticipated to be used during the day. Some vaccine components (e.g. CDV, FHV‐1) are particularly labile in this regard and so these vaccines may not induce adequate immunity if not reconstituted just before use

Vaccines should only be mixed together in the same syringe if this is specified as acceptable in the manufacturer's data sheets

Syringes and needles for vaccines should not be reutilized

Vaccine injection sites should not be sterilised with alcohol or other disinfectant as this may inactivate infectious (MLV) vaccines

Vaccines should be “in date” and precise details of batch numbers, components and site of injection should be noted in the animal's medical record