What is considered a critical practice during the receiving and unpacking of vaccine deliveries?

Temperature monitoring is essential during the receiving and unpacking of vaccine deliveries because vaccines are sensitive biological products that require specific storage conditions to maintain their efficacy. Throughout the supply chain, from the manufacturer to the pharmacy, vaccines must be kept within a precise temperature range, typically between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for most refrigerated vaccines.

Monitoring the temperature ensures that vaccines have not been compromised during transportation and that they remain effective when administered to patients. Any deviation from the recommended temperature range can lead to reduced efficacy or complete spoilage of the vaccine. Therefore, conducting temperature checks immediately upon delivery helps maintain quality assurance and patient safety, providing critical data that informs whether the vaccines can be used or if they should be rejected and returned to the supplier.

While proper labeling, immediate disposal of expired products, and inventory management are important aspects of vaccine handling and logistics, they do not directly address the critical concern of vaccine potency related to temperature control right at the point of receiving the vaccines.