Respect de la chaine du froid en médecine générale
(2020) Louvain médical — Vol. 139, n° 8, p. 460-464 (2020)
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- Authors
- Abstract
- (en) [Maintaining the cold chain in general medicine] Keeping vaccines requires maintaining the cold chain, which commonly exhibits weaknesses, even in more developed countries. However, the exposure of most vaccines to high temperatures results in some degree of degradation. Moreover, the freezing itself can cause an immediate vaccine degradation. In this context, the conservation of vaccines in the refrigerator at a constant temperature between 2 and 8 °C is a required framework for the general practitioner, which is designed to preserve the vaccines’ properties. The main characteristics of suitable refrigerators must combine the maintenance of temperature (between 2 and 8 °C), an equal temperature distribution, the availability of an evaporator that prevents freezing, a very rapid temperature recovery device, as well as forced air circulation. Domestic refrigerators may suffice for storing small volumes of vaccines. They must display the minimum characteristics required for good storage conditions and undergo the adaptations necessary to their proper use. Additionally, regular temperature monitoring and reporting must be performed using an outdoor thermometer with a probe. These easily manageable elements enable vaccines to be stored in good conditions, with the eventual outcome of optimizing vaccine coverage of the population.
- Affiliations
Citations
Girard, A. (2020). Respect de la chaine du froid en médecine générale. Louvain médical, 139(8), 460-464. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/216701 (Original work published 2020)