References
Responding to errors in the storage, handling, and administration of vaccines
Abstract
The storage, handling, and administration of vaccines is a complex process. When errors occur, practice nurses must respond appropriately. Dalia Youssef, Rachel Mearkle and Karen Ford provide an overview of recent guidance and advice on how to avoid and deal with vaccine incidents
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions. It helps to prevent infectious disease and save lives. However, the storage, handling, and administration of vaccines is a complex process that is not immune to error. Vaccine incidents—including interruption of the cold chain—can undermine vaccine quality and efficacy, and, in some cases, this could require revaccination of patients. In September 2019, Public Health England published updated guidance about responding to errors in the storage, handling, and administration of vaccines. This article provides an overview of this guidance and includes practical advice on how to avoid and deal with common vaccine-related incidents.
Vaccinations remain one of modern medicine's greatest success stories. They are a safe and highly effective way to save lives by preventing a wide range of life-threatening and debilitating diseases, including measles, meningitis, polio and cervical cancer. However, the processes of storing, handling, and administrating vaccines are complex and require careful planning to avoid errors. Over a 3-year period from 2009 to 2011, 3.7% (153/4301) of enquires to the Vaccine Advice for Clinicians Services (Lang et al, 2014), concerned vaccine errors. This figure only includes errors related to administration and is therefore likely to be an underrepresentation of the true number of vaccine-related errors (Lang et al, 2014). PHE have recently updated national guidance on responding to vaccine incidents, including important details about breaches in the cold chain and recommendations for revaccination (Public Health England [PHE], 2019a).
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