{"id":12534,"date":"2020-11-03T10:49:22","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T16:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/?p=12534"},"modified":"2022-11-04T12:28:57","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T17:28:57","slug":"calibration-accurately-monitoring-vaccine-temperatures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/calibration-accurately-monitoring-vaccine-temperatures\/","title":{"rendered":"Why calibration is important for accurately monitoring vaccine temperatures"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Cindy Gisler, Product Marketing Manager, Analytics<\/p>\n

Ensure accurate measurements with calibration<\/h2>\n

Twelve months ago, you might have been hard pressed to find someone who would have said the topic of the vaccine cold chain<\/a> was top of mind \u2014 I suppose a pandemic can change that.<\/p>\n

Recently in the Wall Street Journal<\/a>, there was an article about the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer setting up its biggest ever vaccination distribution campaign; the article went into detail regarding how they are \u201cpreparing to ship billions of COVID-19 vaccines using frozen boxes, cargo planes and trucks in a mega logistical operation\u201d.<\/p>\n

Get ready for a vaccine<\/h2>\n

All indications suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are coming. Planning and preparation to deliver the vaccine to the end user uncompromised is underway with much of the preparation taking place to make sure the cold chain is unbroken. To ensure the safety of vaccines, they must be stored and shipped at the correct temperature, and data loggers must be used to prove the temperature has remained within specified and regulated temperatures.<\/p>\n

Have you been thinking of how you are going to logistically keep your COVID-19 vaccines uncompromised when they arrive, or when you must transport them to another area of your facility or facilities? Does the temperature digital data logger (DDL)<\/a> that you need to use measure temperature accurately? If you are pulling it off the shelf after many months of sitting there, or you\u2019ve been using it for more than a year now, please read on.<\/p>\n

Calibration is critical<\/h2>\n

Calibration is required because the instrument\u2019s accuracy can drift causing inaccurate readings over time. When your instrument produces inaccurate readings, your vaccines can become compromised as they may be sitting in the wrong temperature range, even though you think the temperatures are fine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/a> provides calibration recommendations for temperature digital data loggers; specifically, that you send your digital data logger into an accredited metrology lab for calibration every one or two years, or according to the manufacturers\u2019 suggested timeline. When you send your instrument for calibration, it must arrive back to you with a certificate of calibration. This proof of accuracy certificate should include:<\/p>\n