General information - Answers
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What is Cold Chain Management?
Cold Chain Management is the process of preparing temperature-sensitive medical products for shipment utilizing standardized systems and procedures, ensuring that required temps are maintained throughout the supply chain, and the validation that those conditions are met during all phases of distribution until delivery.
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What is proper vaccine storage and handling?
Vaccines are stored, shipped, and handled according to pharmaceutical manufacturers’ instruction as outlined in the product’s package insert or other guidance. Failure to adhere to recommended specifications for proper storage and handling temperatures may reduce vaccine potency, resulting in an inadequate immune response and inadequate protection against the vaccine preventable disease.
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Who is USAMMA/DOC?
United States Army Medical Material Agency/Distribution Operation Center (USAMMA/DOC) is a core group of highly skilled specialists within the DoD for the management, coordination, and execution of distribution services. Specifically, the packing and storage of Temperature Sensative Medical Products (TSMPs) requiring refrigeration or other special handling requirements while maintaining close in-transit visibility in support of our internal and external customers. The DOC operates under the clinical and technical direction of USAMMA’s Pharmacy Consultant who is also the Deputy Director for Distribution Operations of the Military Vaccine (MILVAX) Agency.
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How can USAMMA/DOC be reached?
For vaccines and temperature sensitive product questions contact USAMMA /DOC during the hours of 0700-1700 EST at phone: 301-619-4318, 1197, 4198/
DSN: 343-4318, 1197, 4198/Fax: 301-619-4468; after hours call: 301-676-1184, 301-676-0857, or 301-256-8072 for urgent issues only.
NIPR E-mail: USAMMADOC@amedd.army.mil.
For more information go to the following website: http://www.usamma.army.mil/cold_chain_management.cfm
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Who is DLA Troop Support?
DLA Troop Support provides United States armed services members with food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical equipment, and construction supplies and equipment. The pharmaceutical division offers most vaccines for purchase by eligible DoD customers. More information can be found at the following website: http://www.dscp.dla.mil
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What vaccine storage and handling training should immunization departments implement?
Designated primary and backup personnel should have written duties, be trained in vaccine storage and handling, and should know that immediate action must be taken to correct inappropriate storage conditions. Vaccine storage and handling practices should be reviewed annually to update all staff members on the latest policies. During new staff orientation all personnel who will be administering vaccines should be trained in proper vaccine storage and handling practices. Records should be kept of vaccine training sessions and attendees. All staff members responsible for vaccines should understand the importance of cold chain maintenance and the procedures to follow if there is a break in the cold chain; such as immediately reporting any break in the cold chain to the vaccine coordinator or to the immediate supervisor.
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Where can additional storage and handling information guidelines be found?
The CDC has a vaccine storage and handling toolkit available at their website and can be accessed at: http://www2a.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/shtoolkit. The toolkit contains 2 videos on CD-ROM (How to Protect Your Vaccine Supply and Top 10 Storage and Handling Errors); an interactive game; resources including forms, checklists, posters, and contact information; and through guidelines on proper storage and handling.