Power Failures
Power failures can place vaccines at risk if a vaccine fridge cannot maintain the required +2°C to +8°C storage range. This guide explains how to prepare for power outages and protect vaccines stored in a purpose-built vaccine refrigerator.
It covers backup planning, temperature monitoring, alternative storage, coolers, alarms, UPS options and what to do when power is restored.
Before a power failure occurs
Every facility storing vaccines should have a written backup plan for power failures. The plan should explain who is responsible, where vaccines can be moved if needed, what equipment is available, and how vaccine temperatures will be monitored.
Alternative vaccine storage may include a backup power supply, a monitored purpose-built vaccine refrigerator (PBVR) at another facility, or a prepared cooler with suitable ice packs or gel packs, insulating material and temperature monitoring.
It is important to test the backup plan before it is needed. In a real power failure there may be limited time before the vaccine fridge temperature rises above +8°C.
During business hours
If a power failure occurs during business hours, keep the vaccine fridge door closed. Place a sign on the PBVR door stating that the power is out, vaccines must not be used, and the door must remain closed.
Check whether the outage is caused by your switchboard or site power supply. If it is safe to do so, check whether a circuit breaker or residual current device has tripped. Contact an electrician or your electricity provider as needed.
Closely monitor the PBVR temperature using a battery-operated minimum/maximum thermometer or portable data logger. Not all vaccine fridges continue to display the current temperature during a power failure, so separate battery-operated monitoring is important.
If the PBVR temperature is approaching +8°C, or if the outage is likely to continue long enough to place vaccines at risk, move the vaccines to prepared alternative monitored storage. This may be a monitored PBVR at another site or a correctly packed cooler.
Never move vaccines to another fridge, cooler or cold box unless the vaccine temperature can be monitored with a minimum/maximum thermometer or data logger.
Using a cooler during a power failure
If vaccines need to be moved to a cooler, use conditioned ice packs or gel packs, insulating material and suitable temperature monitoring. Vaccines must not come into direct contact with ice packs or gel packs because freezing can damage vaccines.
Monitor and record cooler temperatures every 15 minutes for the first 2 hours, then at least hourly if temperatures remain stable. Keep the cooler closed unless vaccines are being transferred to suitable monitored storage.
Outside business hours
Power failures outside business hours are harder to manage because staff may not know there is a problem until the next business day. Automated temperature monitoring, remote alerts, back-to-base alarm systems or building management systems can help notify staff when a PBVR temperature moves outside the required range.
Some vaccine fridges can be connected to external alarm systems. When selecting a vaccine fridge, consider whether the model supports remote alerts, external alarm output, SMS or email notifications, or integration with a building management system.
Backup power and UPS options
A backup power supply can reduce the risk of vaccine loss during a power outage. Options may include a generator, battery backup, solar backup or an uninterruptible power supply, also known as a UPS.
A UPS may allow a vaccine fridge to keep running for a period of time during a power failure. Runtime depends on the vaccine fridge, UPS capacity, battery configuration, room temperature and other site conditions. Larger battery packs may extend runtime.
Backup power should be considered as part of a broader vaccine storage plan. It does not remove the need for temperature monitoring, written procedures, staff training and alternative storage arrangements.
When power is restored
When power returns, check and record the PBVR temperature. Do not return vaccines to the PBVR until the cabinet temperature has returned to the required +2°C to +8°C range.
If vaccines were moved with a data logger, download and review the data before using any vaccines. If temperatures went outside the +2°C to +8°C range, isolate the vaccines, clearly mark them “Do not use”, keep them refrigerated between +2°C and +8°C, and seek advice from the relevant state or territory health department.
Do not discard vaccines unless advised to do so by the relevant health authority. Continue to monitor the PBVR closely after power is restored to confirm that the temperature remains stable.
Need help protecting vaccines during power failures?
ENLAKE supplies vaccine fridges, medical fridges, temperature monitoring equipment and UPS options for Australian healthcare facilities. Contact ENLAKE if you need help choosing a vaccine fridge, PBVR, remote monitoring system or backup power option for your cold chain requirements.
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Power failures can place vaccines at risk if a vaccine fridge cannot maintain the required +2°C to +8°C storage range. This guide explains how to prepare for power outages and protect vaccines stored in a purpose-built vaccine refrigerator.
It covers backup planning, temperature monitoring, alternative storage, coolers, alarms, UPS options and what to do when power is restored.
Before a power failure occurs
Every facility storing vaccines should have a written backup plan for power failures. The plan should explain who is responsible, where vaccines can be moved if needed, what equipment is available, and how vaccine temperatures will be monitored.
Alternative vaccine storage may include a backup power supply, a monitored purpose-built vaccine refrigerator (PBVR) at another facility, or a prepared cooler with suitable ice packs or gel packs, insulating material and temperature monitoring.
It is important to test the backup plan before it is needed. In a real power failure there may be limited time before the vaccine fridge temperature rises above +8°C.
During business hours
If a power failure occurs during business hours, keep the vaccine fridge door closed. Place a sign on the PBVR door stating that the power is out, vaccines must not be used, and the door must remain closed.
Check whether the outage is caused by your switchboard or site power supply. If it is safe to do so, check whether a circuit breaker or residual current device has tripped. Contact an electrician or your electricity provider as needed.
Closely monitor the PBVR temperature using a battery-operated minimum/maximum thermometer or portable data logger. Not all vaccine fridges continue to display the current temperature during a power failure, so separate battery-operated monitoring is important.
If the PBVR temperature is approaching +8°C, or if the outage is likely to continue long enough to place vaccines at risk, move the vaccines to prepared alternative monitored storage. This may be a monitored PBVR at another site or a correctly packed cooler.
Never move vaccines to another fridge, cooler or cold box unless the vaccine temperature can be monitored with a minimum/maximum thermometer or data logger.
Using a cooler during a power failure
If vaccines need to be moved to a cooler, use conditioned ice packs or gel packs, insulating material and suitable temperature monitoring. Vaccines must not come into direct contact with ice packs or gel packs because freezing can damage vaccines.
Monitor and record cooler temperatures every 15 minutes for the first 2 hours, then at least hourly if temperatures remain stable. Keep the cooler closed unless vaccines are being transferred to suitable monitored storage.
Outside business hours
Power failures outside business hours are harder to manage because staff may not know there is a problem until the next business day. Automated temperature monitoring, remote alerts, back-to-base alarm systems or building management systems can help notify staff when a PBVR temperature moves outside the required range.
Some vaccine fridges can be connected to external alarm systems. When selecting a vaccine fridge, consider whether the model supports remote alerts, external alarm output, SMS or email notifications, or integration with a building management system.
Backup power and UPS options
A backup power supply can reduce the risk of vaccine loss during a power outage. Options may include a generator, battery backup, solar backup or an uninterruptible power supply, also known as a UPS.
A UPS may allow a vaccine fridge to keep running for a period of time during a power failure. Runtime depends on the vaccine fridge, UPS capacity, battery configuration, room temperature and other site conditions. Larger battery packs may extend runtime.
Backup power should be considered as part of a broader vaccine storage plan. It does not remove the need for temperature monitoring, written procedures, staff training and alternative storage arrangements.
When power is restored
When power returns, check and record the PBVR temperature. Do not return vaccines to the PBVR until the cabinet temperature has returned to the required +2°C to +8°C range.
If vaccines were moved with a data logger, download and review the data before using any vaccines. If temperatures went outside the +2°C to +8°C range, isolate the vaccines, clearly mark them “Do not use”, keep them refrigerated between +2°C and +8°C, and seek advice from the relevant state or territory health department.
Do not discard vaccines unless advised to do so by the relevant health authority. Continue to monitor the PBVR closely after power is restored to confirm that the temperature remains stable.
Need help protecting vaccines during power failures?
ENLAKE supplies vaccine fridges, medical fridges, temperature monitoring equipment and UPS options for Australian healthcare facilities. Contact ENLAKE if you need help choosing a vaccine fridge, PBVR, remote monitoring system or backup power option for your cold chain requirements.
