The Difference Between a Vaccine Expiration Date and Beyond-Use Date or Time

[Music] failure to store and prepare vaccines properly can reduce vaccine potency resulting in reduced patient immune response and poor disease protection as a healthc care provider you should know how to safely store prepare and administer vaccines this includes determining if a vaccine can be administered based on the expiration date or it's beyond use date or time also known as bu all vaccines have an expiration date set by the manufacturer this is also referred to as the expiry date this date is based on the Food and Drug Administration or FDA requirements for stability data and proposed expiration date from the manufacturers this information ensures the vaccine meets standards of strength quality and purity throughout his shelf life first and foremost a vaccine should never be used after its expiration date a vaccine's expiration date is typically found on the vile label but might also be found on the vaccine's packaging or in the package insert the date May Be indicated as a month and year or month day and year in the case of month and year the vow can be used up to and including the last day of the month for example if the date is August 2023 the vaccine may be used through 11:59 p.m. on August 31st 2023 in the case of month day and year the vaccines may be used through the specified date so if September 15 2023 is on the vial it may be used through 11:59 p.m. on September 15 2023 rather than a printed date some vaccine manufacturers use a QR code website or phone number scan the code or navigate to the link or phone number provided to determine the expiration date on rare occasions the manufacturer date may be printed instead of the expiration date check the vaccine package insert or fact sheet to calculate the expiration date based on the manufacturer date once the date has been calculated label the vial with the calculated date occasionally an expiration date may change such as when the FDA grants an extension in these cases the expiration date would be lengthened inappropriate vaccine handling and storage conditions can shorten the expiration date or even require vaccines to no longer be used follow your facili standard operating procedures or contact the manufacturer for guidance when inappropriate storage conditions have occurred while all vaccines have an expiration date some vaccines also have a Beyond use date or time or be UD the Beyond use date is different from the expiration date it indicates the final date or time when an altered vaccine can be used alteration occurs when a vaccine vial is moved between storage states such as from a freezer to a refrigerator or a refrigerator to room temperature or when it's mixed with a diluent or when the vial is punctured for vaccine products that have a beud the designated time frame is not always the same in very between vaccines the beud replaces the manufacturer's expiration date but never extends it always use the earlier date or time when reviewing the two dates for example once a v has been punctured its Beyond use date may be 24 hours after puncture even though its expiration date may be a month away unlike the expiration date which is determined by the manufacturer the beud is determined by the healthcare provider using guidance included uded in the vaccine package insert or fact sheet after calculating The Bu label the vial with the beud and initials of the staff member making the calculation this can be done in a variety of ways if only one vial needs labeling write the information on the vial label or use a sticker If multiple vials or syringes need to be labeled such as when moving from one storage temperature to another at the same time keep them together in a tray or recable PL plastic bag with a clear label administering vaccine past the expiration date or the beud is considered a vaccine Administration error several best practice strategies can be followed to help prevent this from happening first check expiration dates of your entire vaccine stock weekly Place those with an earlier expiration date in the front so they can be used first remove any expired vaccine from the storage unit and discard ongoing monitoring of expiration and beud dates is critical for inventory management and to ensure the safety and efficacy of vaccines second always review the package inserts or fact sheets for the vaccines in your inventory know which vaccines have a beud and how to calculate it finally when preparing vaccines and before administering vaccines always check the expiration date or beud if applicable remember the beud replaces but never exceeds the expiration date always use the earlier date or time if you have questions about vaccine expiration dates Beyond use date or time and potential date calculations needed refer to the vaccine package insert fact sheet or contact the manufacturer you can also contact CDC at nip info at cdc.gov with your vaccine related questions including those on storage preparation and administration please visit cdc's website for more training and resources to support your vaccination efforts including the vaccine storage and handling tool kit pink book and you call the shots webbased trainings