Vaccine handling and storage
All facilities that store publicly funded vaccines must follow the Ministry of Health vaccine storage and handling guidelines.
Recommended vaccine refrigerator temperature monitoring devices from Peel Public Health.
- Stop using vaccines impacted by the cold chain incident.
- Leave the vaccines in fridge.
- Inform all your staff to NOT use the vaccines.
- Place “DO NOT USE VACCINES” sign on fridge.
- Contact Peel Public Health to report cold chain incident and receive further direction. Email Vaccine Management or call 905-791-7800 ext. 2840 (leave a message). Include your RMP_MS_XXXXX code, contact phone number or email, and business name.
- Continue to monitor and document the fridge temperature in the temperature logbook (include date and time, current, maximum, minimum temperatures).
- Do not move the vaccines to another fridge without direction from Peel Public Health.
- Wait for a response from Peel Public Health for further instructions.
Peel Public Health only accepts the return of expired, excess, or wasted publicly funded vaccines (not including COVID-19 vaccine). Publicly funded vaccines that are deemed unusable (e.g., affected by a cold chain incident) or expired should be returned to Peel Public Health as soon as possible.
To return vaccines:
- Complete the vaccine wastage report.
- Place the completed vaccine wastage report along with the returned vaccines in a sealed or stapled bag. Vaccines being returned as unusable or expired DO NOT need to be returned in cold chain.
- Return vaccines to one of the drop off locations or via the courier if you are part of the vaccine delivery program.
Find vaccine drop off locations.
For additional support, call the Vaccine Order Desk at 905-791-7800 ext. 6404 or email the vaccine order team.
For information on vaccine storage, handling, and disposal of available COVID-19 antigens, refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID‑19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance and relevant product monographs.
Do not return COVID-19 vaccines to Peel Public Health.
Additional information:
- The 'use by date' may be different from the expiry date.
- The 'use by date and time' is documented on the box label.
- Punctured times are different based on vaccine brand. Refer to the COVID‑19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance for the most up to date information.