Important and supplemental information can be found in boxes throughout the Guide. On January 1, 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require that all New York State Vaccines for Children (VFC) use a continuous temperature monitoring device with an active temperature display and continuous monitoring and recording capabilities where the data can be routinely downloaded. For example. If you need help deciding which Traceable® Thermometer is best for your vaccine environment, call us at 281-482-1714 or e-mail us. Providers are strongly urged to review VFC Provider Handbook and become familiar with Program requirements prior to initiatiating VFC Enrollment. In all storage unit types, vaccines should be placed in the middle shelf of the unit and away from any cold air vents. After your process has begun, you will be contacted by a representative of the Immunization Service to schedule two (2) orientation visits. Children are eligible to receive free vaccines before their 19th birthday if they: VFC providers must meet certain requirements for vaccine management, such as storing vaccines within required temperature ranges and monitoring expiration dates, to ensure that these vaccines provide children with maximum protection against preventable diseases. VFC Providers are responsible for purchasing data loggers as needed for each additional storage unit beyond the first two, which were supplied by the NYS VFC Program. CERTIFIED THERMOMETER GUIDELINES Providers enrolled in the VFC Program are required to purchase calibrated thermometers for all refrigerator and freezer compartments used for VFC vaccine storage in order to monitor temperatures. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines at no cost for children who are uninsured, underinsured, on Medicaid or Medicaid eligible, and/or Alaskan Native/American Indian. Refrigerator unit must maintain temperatures between 36° to 46°F (2° and 8°C) year-round. Vaccine coordinators and/or backup coordinators are responsible for execution of the plan when indicated. For more information on thermometer and calibration requirements, please see the Freezer unit should maintain temperatures between -58°F and 5°F (-50°C and -15°C). Find out more information about child care and school immunization requirements? PK ! Starting January 1, 2018, use of continuous DDL thermometers with a buffered encased probe will be required for all VFC storage units. Refer to the Vaccine Storage Unit Maintenance Guidance document for more information. Patient Eligibility Screening Record (State Form 48514) The freezer must be able to maintain temperatures at or below 5° Fahrenheit (-15° Celsius) and the refrigerator must be able to maintain temperatures consistently between 36° and 46° Fahrenheit (2° to 8° Celsius). All VFC providers must use a VFC-compliant DDL in every refrigerator and freezer storing VFC-supplied vaccines. Each Traceable® Thermometer below has bottle probe options that mimic vaccines to ensure compliance. High/low units offer only basic information about the warmest and coldest te mperature reached. Using the correct thermometer or continuous monitoring system to monitor vaccine is critical. VFC providers must comply with the requirements and activities listed in the Vaccine Storage and Handling Plan. Training on program requirements including storage and handling of VFC vaccines Quick resource for parents (8/27/2012) The VFC Program helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. Other Immunization Resources �Mʍv �i�aJ�. Best practices are noted throughout the document. Do not freeze or expose to freezing temperatures 2°C–8°C. Every device monitoring vaccine storage unit temperatures for VFC-supplied vaccines must have a valid and current certificate of calibration. VFC providers are required to have certified, calibrated temperature monitoring devices in each storage unit containing publicly-funded vaccine and one certified, calibrated back-up temperature monitoring device available (in the event that current equipment fails or requires calibrating testing). The NYSDOH VFC Program now requires using a digital data logger for continuous temperature monitoring and recording in all vaccine storage units. The internal temperature remains very stable, making cold spots, freezing and temperature spikes a thing of the past. For more information on temperature monitoring requirements and recommended data logger functionality, please see the, Transport to another facility in an emergency, Transport due to physical office relocation, Transport to another site or provider to avoid wastage. Practices also must have at least one battery operated backup DDL to use when a primary device is being calibrated, during emergency vaccine transport, or if a primary device fails. The program helps prevent disease and save lives. VFC programmatic requirements for provider offices are indicated by a grey box with a green check icon. For guidance refer to the CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit. (2)4 Immunization in practice 1.1 Temperature requirements for vaccines Vaccines are sensitive biological products. The CDC and the Oregon Immunization Program highly recommend purchasing separate, biomedical-grade units rather than If the office is only open from 4-7 pm, the temperature should be checked at the time of opening (4 pm) and before closing (around 7 pm). 2020_06-30) Possible situations for transport include: All Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers must have an individualized emergency vaccine storage plan which includes protocols on the safe transport of vaccines. 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