What is a Qualified Container for Vaccine Transport?

Vaccines are fragile and require careful handling, storage, and transportation. Improper transfer of vaccines can result in significant financial losses due to wasted vaccines and decreased confidence in vaccines if patients need to be revaccinated. In this short video, you'll learn how qualified containers and packout supplies are used for vaccine transport. Generally, vaccines from your supply should not be routinely transported. In instances where transport is necessary, such as during an emergency or for an off-site clinic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC considers a portable refrigerator or freezer the preferred option. Portable refrigerators and freezer units use a power source and a built-in thermostat to maintain temperatures and do not require packout supplies. If a portable vaccine refrigerator or freezer is not available, a qualified container and packout method is an approved option. A qualified container is a type of container that is specifically designed for use when packing vaccines for transport. Unlike portable vaccine refrigerators and freezers, qualified containers do not have a power source or a built-in thermostat. Instead, they have been deemed qualified through laboratory testing to ensure they achieve and maintain desired temperatures for a set amount of time when used in combination with a qualified packout. It is important to note that commercially available soft or hard-sided food or beverage coolers are not qualified containers, as they are poorly insulated and likely to be affected by room or outdoor temperatures. However, soft or hard-sided qualified containers specifically engineered for vaccine transport are available for use. Just like qualified containers, qualified packout supplies and procedures are critical to maintain required vaccine temperatures and protect your vaccine supply. Qualified packout supplies include coolant materials such as phase-change materials for off-site clinics or emergency transport, insulating materials like bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard, and a device to monitor temperature, like a digital data logger or DDL. Your facility should have enough supplies to transport your largest annual vaccine inventory at any time. Portable refrigerators, freezers, qualified containers and packout supplies are available to purchase at a variety of price points. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the correct use of your qualified container and packout supplies. For help with your vaccine-related questions, including those on storage, preparation, transport and administration, contact CDC at nipinfo at cdc.gov. Please visit CDC's website for more training and resources to support your vaccination efforts, including the Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit, Pink Book, and You Call the Shots web-based trainings.