Since their creation, vaccinations have saved millions of lives. On an annual basis, various types of vaccines have prevented over 2.5 million unnecessary deaths. This is due to the feasibility of large-scale vaccine production that began during the late 1940s. At that time, there were several vaccines that were recommended. These included Smallpox, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis, or whooping cough.
According to 2014 estimates by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccinations would be able to make a significant impact on the lives of children born within the past 20 years. This amounted to preventing over 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 fatalities, which is significant.
A Brief Overview of Measles Data
According to the World Health Organization and the Measles and Rubella Initiative, measles vaccinations alone have saved an estimated 17.1 million individuals since 2000. It’s important to note that measles-related deaths have also decreased. Between 2000 and 2014, for example, fatalities decreased 79% from 546,800 to 114,900.
A Brief Overview of Flu Data
Since 2010, many people have been hospitalized due to the flu. A considerable number of others have lost their lives. Young children and the elderly are known to be particularly vulnerable. Estimates from the CDC indicate that approximately 710,000 flu-related hospitalizations have occurred over the past eight years. Due to various strains of the flu, up to 56,000 people have died.
How to Properly Store Vaccines
In order to maintain and ensure their quality and effectiveness, vaccines need to be stored in the appropriate type of vaccine storage refrigerators. Medical refrigerators, such as Energy Star laboratory refrigerators, are recommended for this purpose. Medical-grade freezers may also be required under specific circumstances.
There are three critical steps to follow to ensure that vaccines are well-preserved and viable. First of all, they need to be stored at the ideal temperature. The CDC reports that refrigerated vaccines need to be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or five degrees Celsius. Frozen vaccines needs to be stored between -58 degrees and five degrees Fahrenheit, or -50 degrees and -15 degrees Celsius.
Secondly, temperatures need to be recorded on a daily basis. This task should be performed at the beginning of each workday. Finally, the temperature also needs to be checked every time the refrigerator is accessed. If the temperature isn’t within the desired range, then immediate action needs to be taken to adjust the temperature.
Learn More About Vaccine Storage Refrigerators and Freezers
Since you want to have the best possible refrigeration and freezer units for your lab or other type of medical facility, it’s important to consult with an approved supplier. In addition to vaccine storage refrigerators, your facility may be interested in a stand alone freezer for vaccines along with an undercounter lab refrigerator. Once you speak with a representative, you’ll be able to learn more about these and other essential appliances to store life-saving vaccines.
