Vaccine Ordering and Storage

All vaccines are stored and delivered under temperature controlled conditions by the HSE National Cold Chain Service which is managed by United Drug distributors. Approved doctors may order vaccines on a monthly basis online using the following website ordervaccines.ie

If you have any questions about your order please contact the HSE National Cold Chain Service by Phone 01 463 7770 or Fax 01 463 7788 or Email vaccines@udd.ie

Vaccines are then delivered directly to GP surgeries and Local HSE Offices. Additional supplies can be delivered in an emergency.

For more details about the HSE National Cold Chain Service see:

HSE Cold Chain Failure Form 17 February 2022
Vaccine Return Form 1 August 2023
Vaccines available from HSE National Cold Chain Service
Recommendations for maintenance of Vaccine Fridge within Temperature during a Planned Power-cut updated June 2016
Outbreak Order Form 10 July 2018

Guidelines

HSE Guidelines for maintaining the vaccine cold-chain including maintenance of vaccine fridges and management of vaccines Updated 15 April 2020
HSE Guidelines for maintaining the vaccine cold chain in vaccine cool boxes Updated 15 April 2020
Instructions for use of Tuberculin safety syringes Updated 27 January 2015

Training

Log onto www.hseland.ie to complete the 30 minute e-learning module Storing and Managing Vaccines

Survey Reports

SPCs and PILs for the following vaccines are available on www.hpra.ie (as per the "Vaccines available from HSE National Cold Chain Service" )

4 in 1 - Infanrix-IPV
6 in 1 - Infanrix Hexa
Hepatitis A - Havrix Monodose, Havrix Junior Monodose
Hepatitis B - Engerix (adult), Engerix (paediatric), Fendrix (renal insufficiency), HBVAXPRO 5mcg, HBVAXPRO 10mcg, HBVAXPRO 40mcg
Hepatitis A+B - Twinrix (adult), Twinrix (paediatric) Influenza - Influvac
Hib - Hiberix
HPV - Gardasil9
Influenza - Influvac
MenACWY - Nimenrix
Men C - Menjugate
MMR - Priorix and MMR Vax Pro
PCV - Prevenar 13
Pneumococcal - Pneumovax 23
Td - DiTe Booster
Tdap - Boostrix
Td/IPV - Revaxis
Tdap/IPV - IPV-Boostrix
Tuberculin - 2TU

Details of vaccines not on www.hpra.ie

Botulism Antitoxin SPC
HNIG for measles cases only. Contact information and ordering form(updated 2016)

Adverse Reaction Report Form. Please visit the Health Products Regulatory Authority website to download the form and report an adverse reaction. You can also report adverse reactions online from this website.

Vaccine Storage

Vaccine refrigerators are recommended for storage of vaccines. Manufacturer's recommendations on storage should be observed. Vaccines must be kept at temperatures between 2-8oC.
Vaccines should be stored in the pharmaceutical refrigerator which should not be overfilled to allow air to circulate around the packages. They should not be stored on the shelves or storage compartments of the door of non pharmaceutical refrigerators.
The vaccine packs should not touch the sides or back of the refrigerator.
Door opening should be kept to a minimum
A maximum/minimum thermometer should be used in refrigerators where vaccines are stored, irrespective of whether the refrigerator incorporates a temperature indicator dial. The maximum and minimum temperatures reached should be monitored and recorded daily. Temperature record logs are best kept close to the refrigerator for ease of reference. If temperatures are recorded outside the permitted range or if there is a breakdown in supply or equipment, the local Senior Medical Officer should be contacted for further advice.
The vaccine refrigerator should be cleaned every two months with a 1:10 solution of sodium hypochlorite.
Care should be taken to ensure that the electricity supply to the vaccine storage refrigerator cannot be accidentally interrupted. This can be achieved by using a switchless socket or by placing cautionary notices on plugs and sockets.
Food and drink must not be stored in refrigerators used for vaccines.

Disposal of Vaccines

Reconstituted vaccine must be used within the recommended period, varying from one to four hours, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Single dose containers are preferable as once opened, multidose vials must not be kept after the end of the session. Unused vaccine, spent or partly spent vials should be disposed of safely by incineration. Contaminated waste and spillage should be dealt with by heat sterilisation, incineration or chemical disinfection as appropriate.

Expired vaccines should be returned to the HSE National Cold Chain Service at the next delivery.

Needles and Syringes

Needles and syringes must be securely stored and delivery and distribution recorded. Needles and syringes should be disposed of in sharps bins. Sharps bins must not be left unattended in schools. Sharps bins should be collected regularly and be disposed of safely.

This page was updated on 1 August 2023