ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry

MANUAL

ASEAN CODE OF
PRACTICE FOR THE COMMERCIAL STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION AND HANDLING OF
ANIMAL VACCINES
Li v e s t o k P u b l i c a t i o n S e r i e s No.2E

MANUAL OF ASEAN CODE OF

PRACTICE FOR THE COMMERCIAL STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION

AND HANDLING OF ANIMAL VACCINES

INTRODUCTION

A problem in tropical countries is the heat sensitivity of animal vaccines. Unless a cold chain is maintained from vaccine manufacturer to user, the animals may receive vaccine that is heat inactivated and no longer potent. This problem is greater for liquid vaccine than for freeze-dried vaccines. Inconsistent quality of animal vaccines suggests a need for guidelines. High quality vaccines can be consistently marketed provide one adheres to good storage, transportation and handling practices. This code of practice will be helpful in assuring the good quality of vaccines.

COMMERCIAL STORAGE

  1. Any building used in the commercial storage of animal vaccines shall be of suitable size, construction and location to facilitate cleaning, maintenance and proper operations. Any such building shall have adequate space for the orderly placement of vaccines to prevent mix-ups between different vaccines.
  1. Storage areas should be designed or adapted to ensure good storage conditions. In particular, they should be clean, dry and maintained within temperature limits. Where special storage conditions are required (e.g. temperature, humidity) they should be provided, checked and monitored.
  1. In most instances, the recommended storage conditions are stated on the label in which case it is imperative to adhere to those conditions. They may include a specified temperature range or designated storage please or condition e.g. refrigerator or controlled room temperature. All instructions should be followed carefully. The vaccines should be stored away from location where excessive or variable heat, cold or light prevails.
  1. The storage room should have separate sets of selves coded for easy identification, so that stocks of different vaccines are not mixed up.
  1. It is recommended that freeze dried live vaccines and inactivated or killed vaccines should be stored at 2ºC to 8ºC. Liquid live vaccines should be stored at the temperature between –20ºC to 8ºC. Temperature of storage refrigeration should not be allowed to fluctuate widely. Once potency has been lost exposure to heat it cannot be regained by returning the vaccine to the correct storage temperature. Loss of vaccine potency through exposure to heat is not evident from the appearance of the vaccine vial. If necessary, vaccines may be monitored for loss of potency during the storage period.
  1. Some vaccines for example cell-associated Marek’s Disease Vaccine, may require lower temperature storage of –7ºC to -170ºC in dry ice or liquid nitrogen respectively.

TRANSPORTATION

  1. The animal vaccines must be transported under cold condition with precautions to ensure that the vaccine retains potency upon arrival at its destination.
  1. Suitable equipped vehicles to ensure the required cool temperature should be used in transporting vaccines.
  1. Materials used for wrapping and packaging should be strong enough to protect the vaccines during the course of transportation.
  1. The packaging of vaccines must bear a clean and legible indication of:
  1. The optimal temperature at which the vaccine should be transported or stored.
  2. The expiration
  3. Batch number/ product code
  4. Manufacturer’s name and address
  5. Brand name
  6. For veterinary use only
  1. At any stage of the cold chain, vaccine should be transported at 2ºC to 8ºC. Except for cell-associated vaccines which should be transported in liquid nitrogen.
  1. Vaccines should be transported in accordance with internationally recommended procedures by OIE or the Universal Postal Convention established by the Universal Postal Union.
  1. On arrival at the destination, the vaccines should be stored at the required temperature.

HANDLING OF ANIMAL VACCINES

  1. All handling of animal vaccines should be carried out under strict sterile condition.
  1. Only sterilised or sterile disposable needles, syringes and accessories should be used. Chemical sterilisation should not be used.
  1. All vaccines should be constantly kept at a temperature of 2ºC to 8ºC, except for cell-associated vaccines which should be transported in liquid nitrogen.
  1. Upon removal of the vaccine, from the storage for use, they should be reconstituted in diluent immediately. Care should be taken by the handlers to avoid creation of aerosol.
  1. Mix vaccine with diluent and set the syringe to deliver the exact dose recommended. Carry out vaccination carefully to ensure that the correct dose of the vaccine is administrated via the recommended route.
  1. During vaccination the reconstituted vaccine should be shaken from time to time to ensure uniform distribution.
  1. The vaccine must be used immediately after reconstitution and in any event not more than two hour later.
  1. Unused and left-over vaccines after reconstitution should not be kept for later use because their potency and sterility are no longer ensured.
  1. Unused reconstituted vaccines and empty live vaccines containers should be burned or immersed in strong disinfectant.

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