Vaccine Ordering and Fridge Inspections
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) distributes publicly funded vaccines to health care providers, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, hospitals, agencies and participating workplaces across Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas. SWPH also inspects vaccine fridges and investigates cold chain incidents.
VACCINE ORDERING
Maintain no more than a one-month supply of vaccine in your fridge. Overstocking can result in high vaccine wastage.
Elgin-St. Thomas Order Forms
Complete the appropriate vaccine order form and fax it to 519-633-0468.
- Flu Vaccine Order Form (for health care providers)
- Publicly Funded Routine Vaccine Order Form (for health care providers and long-term care facilities)
- NOTE: Tubersol is only to be ordered for clients eligible for OHIP-eligible TST. This supply is NOT to be used for those paying a health care provider for the TST service (Tubersol for this purpose must be ordered from a third party private pay provider).
- High Risk and School Program Vaccine Order Form
- RSV Order Form **Beyfortus is not currently available – expected October 2024**
Oxford Order Forms
Complete the appropriate vaccine order form and fax it to 519-539-6206.
- Flu Vaccine Order Form (for health care providers)
- Publicly Funded Routine Vaccine Order Form (for health care providers)
- NOTE: Tubersol is only to be ordered for clients eligible for OHIP-eligible TST. This supply is NOT to be used for those paying a health care provider for the TST service (Tubersol for this purpose must be ordered from a third party private pay provider).
- High Risk School Vaccine Order Form
- RSV Order Form **Beyfortus is not currently available – expected October 2024**
VACCINE RETURNS
Complete the Vaccine Return Form. Bring this form along with expired/non-usable vaccine in a bag to Southwestern Public Health.
Exceptions:
Covid-19 vaccine that cannot be used should not be returned to the public health unit.
Review Appendix C in the General COVID-19:Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidance for information regarding disposal of COVID-19 vaccine.
Punctured/entered vials with vaccine remaining should not be returned to the public health unit but discarded in your biohazard waste. Wastage from the punctured/entered vials should be noted on the SWPH vaccine return form.
VACCINE STORAGE
Refer to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines.
Mandatory Requirements for Cold Chain |
To be compliant with the mandatory requirements for vaccine storage and handling, facilities must:
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Planning for an extended absence or vacation |
SWPH may be available to safely store your vaccine if your office/facility will be closed for an extended period of time. Contact the team at 1-800-922-0096 (select site and push 4). |
Cold Chain Incident |
A cold chain incident occurs when the vaccine is exposed to temperatures outside the +2°C and +8°C range. This can happen in your refrigerator or during transport from SWPH to your facility. Responding to a cold chain incident When you notice vaccine storage temperatures are out of the required range:
Based on the details of the cold chain incident, a SWPH nurse will determine the next steps with you.
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Tips for effective vaccine storage and handling |
There are many effective practices that can be adopted to achieve the best possible vaccine storage and handling:
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Using a digital min/max thermometer |
A digital min/max thermometer is a thermometer that accurately records the highest and lowest temperatures reached inside the refrigerator since the thermometer was last reset.
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