Vaccine Storage, Handling, and Administration

Most vaccines used in the shelter contain living organisms, so care must be taken when storing, handling, and administering them to ensure these organisms remain viable and are able to induce a protective immune response in our animals.

Storage

• Unpack new vaccines within one hour of delivery.
• If ice packs in shipping container have melted, contact the distributor immediately and do not use vaccines.
• Store vaccines in a refrigerator maintained at 35-45°F. Vaccines should not be removed from the refrigerator until just prior to use.
• Place a thermometer in the refrigerator and, at a minimum, record temperatures weekly to ensure that the refrigerator stays cold enough to protect the vaccines at all times.
• When transporting vaccines, place them in a cooler with ice packs.
• Discard expired vaccine products in appropriate medical waste containers.

Handling

• Reconstitute two-part vaccines with the provided diluent. Do not interchange diluents or dilute vaccine with other compounds such as fluids or sterile water.
• Never mix multiple vaccine products in the same syringe.
• Never split the dose of vaccine for small animals.
• Administer vaccines within 60 minutes of reconstitution. Do not reconstitute vaccines in the morning for administration throughout the day.
• Protect reconstituted vaccines from temperature extremes until administration.
• Dispose of used vaccine vials and syringes in appropriate medical waste containers.

Administration

• Always administer vaccines according to the route specified on the product label.
• Intranasal vaccines containing Bordetella must not be injected or given orally.
• Injectable DA2PP and FVRCP vaccines should be administered subcutaneously.
• When possible, administer injectable vaccines in the subcutaneous space below the elbow and below the knee. Note: When working with fearful or difficult-to-handle animals, ensuring the vaccination is administered is more important than administering in a precise location.
• Standard locations for vaccine administration are:
  • DA2PP and FVRCP – Right front leg
  • Rabies – Right hind leg
  • Combination products including rabies – Right hind leg
• If an animal does not receive an entire dose of vaccine (i.e., the animal jumps, the needle was inserted completely through the skin), re-administer a full dose of vaccine.
• Spilled or mis-injected vaccine product should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid accidental ingestion.