Temperature Monitoring Best Practices for Refrigerated Vaccines–Celsius (C)

1 Store vaccines at ideal temperature: 5° C

2 Record daily temperatures

CS243541-A Revision February 2018 

Distributed by Visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/SandH

or contact your state health department for 

more information.

LOW BATTERY

RESET

5.2° C

3.2° C 6.4° C

• Contact your state or local health department 

• Tell them the total amount of time the 

refrigerator temperature was out of range.

Refrigerated Vaccines

Too Cold!

Take Action!

Too Warm!

Take Action!

Within Range

Report out-of-range 

temperatures 

immediately!

Never freeze

refrigerated

vaccines!

Exception: MMR 

can be stored in 

refrigerator or 

freezer

-4 ̊ C -1 ̊ C 2 ̊ C 8 ̊ C 10 ̊ C

5 ̊ C

3 Take action if out of range!

3 steps, daily: Check and record min/max 

temperatures at the start of the workday.

2

3

Min/Max: The coldest and warmest 

temperatures in the refrigerator since 

you last reset the thermometer

Note: If your device does not display min/max temperatures, then 

check and record current temperature a minimum of 2 times (at 

start and end of workday)

1

Reset: The button you push after 

you have recorded the min/max 

temperatures

Current temperature: Check current 

temperature each time you access 

vaccines in the refrigerator

• Take your time. Check and record 

temperatures accurately.

• Make your mark! Initial the log when 

recording temperatures.

• Leave it blank. If min/max temperatures 

were not recorded, leave the space blank!

Best Practices
Test Your Knowledge

1

2

LOW BATTERY

LOW BATTERY

RESET

3° C

2° C 7.2° C

4

LOW BATTERY

RESET

7° C

7° C 9° C

3

LOW BATTERY

RESET

1.1° C

-2° C 4.4° C

5

Review the temperature readings below and select the correct answer.

A. Current temp and min/max are within range—no action

necessary

B. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—take action

C. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—no action necessary

D. Current temp and min/max are out of range—take action

A. Current temp and min/max are within range—no action necessary

B. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—take action

C. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—no action necessary

D. Current temp and min/max are out of range—take action

A. Current temp and min/max are within range—no action necessary

B. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—take action

C. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—no action necessary

D. Current temp and min/max are out of range—take action

A. Current temp and min/max are within range—no action necessary

B. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—take action

C. Current temp is within range, min/max out of range—no action necessary

D. Current temp and min/max are out of range—take action

A. Remove all vaccines that are out of range and discard them.

B. Call the state/local VFC program (or manufacturer for private vaccines) for guidance.

C. Notify the practice’s vaccine coordinator to get the refrigerator temperature back in range.

D. Thaw any vaccines that were frozen for 45 minutes.

“Take action” means (circle any that apply):

Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B, 5-B and C

RESET

4.4° C

0° C 7° C