What is a Vaccine Expiration Date?

Proper vaccine storage and handling are crucial to maintain vaccine potency and protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Because you work with vaccines, you need to know how to determine if a vaccine can be administered based on its expiration date. All vaccines have a manufacturer-set expiration date, also referred to as the expiry date. This date is based on the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, requirements for stability data and a proposed expiration date from the manufacturers. This information ensures the vaccine will meet standards of strength, quality, and purity throughout its 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 vial label, but might also be included 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 vial 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 1159 p.m. of August 31, 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 1159 p.m. on September 15, 2023. Not all vaccines come with 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 manufacture date may be printed instead of the expiration date. Check the vaccine package insert or fact sheet on how to calculate the expiration date based on the manufacturer date. Label the vial with the calculated date. Occasionally, an expiration date may change, such as when the FDA announces an extension. Lengthening the expiration date. Inappropriate vaccine handling and storage conditions can shorten the expiration date or even require vaccines to no longer be used. Follow your facility's standard operating procedures or contact the manufacturer for guidance on the expiration date. It's also possible that the manufacturer could determine that a vaccine's expiration date should be moved up or even that the vaccine cannot be used. Though all vaccines have an expiration date set by the manufacturer, some also have a beyond use date or time or BUD determined by your healthcare staff. A BUD can shorten a vaccine's shelf life, but it cannot extend it. Remember, vaccines should never be used after their expiration date. If you have questions about vaccine expiration dates, beyond use date or time, and if date calculations are needed, refer to the vaccine package insert, fact sheet, or contact the manufacturer. You can also contact CDC at nipinfo 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 Toolkit, Pink Book, and You Call the Shots web-based trainings.