Vaccine Vs Household Refrigerators; What’s the Difference?

For most households, a fridge is reliable and does an adequate job at keeping your food at a safe temperature. In an age when the world relies heavily on vaccines, what makes medical-grade vaccine refrigerators so much better and why are you required to use a vaccine fridge for the storage of medicines?

To maintain the efficacy of many commonly used vaccines, you must refrigerate them in a temperature range of between 2°C to 8°C. Above or below these limits, their effectiveness will reduce dramatically, even exponentially.Studies such as, ”Thermal Analysis of Refrigeration Systems Used for Vaccine Storage: Report on Pharmaceutical Grade Refrigerator and Household Refrigerator/Freezer” by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), have proven household fridges do not maintain acceptable temperatures for storing vaccines.

In addition to ensuring correct temperatures, other features that differentiate vaccine fridges from household fridges includes:

• Standards and Classifications

Fridges and freezers used for vaccine storage must meet industry standards, regulations and guidelines. Vaccine refrigerators are classed as medical devices, and must be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods ARTG. Search the ARTG here.

• Glass Doors

Most vaccine fridges are fitted with glass doors, allowing users to locate items before opening the door. This feature maintains temperature consistency and improves efficiency.

• Temperature Monitoring and Display

Unlike most domestic fridges, most vaccine refrigerators have an external temperature display. Displays that report the precise minimum and maximum values are an aid in compliance.

• Alarms

A vaccine refrigerator will sound an alarm when temperatures breach minimum or maximum values. Typically, vaccine fridges also have a faster recovery time compared to household fridges when a temperature variation occurs.

• Grated Shelves and Door Storage

Vaccine fridges often lack shelves in the door, are not compartmentalised, and feature grated shelving. These design features increase airflow and circulation while limiting internal spaces that experience rapid temperature changes.

Locks

As a quality and security measure, most modern vaccine fridges offer locking mechanisms that restrict access.

Vaccine Fridge Examples

145 Litre, Fan Forced, Economy Pharmacy Refrigerator

Product Code: TEPR-145-1-GD

The TEPR-145-1-GD pharmacy and vaccine refrigerator is an example of a popular product in a series of models suitable for retail pharmacies, medical centres, universities and veterinary hospitals where pharmacy and vaccine products must be stored safely. Thermoline class 1 Medical Device refrigerators comply to Federal Legislation requiring all medical devices to be registered on the ARTG. All refrigerators are tested in-house in their state of the art testing rooms to ensure they conform to the toughest regulations required as a medical device. 

Notable attributes include fans in the top of the refrigerator and polyurethane insulation covered by powder-coated aluminium.

This fan-forced economy refrigerator is available in four other sizes - 200L, 440L and, 740L.

ARTG Registered: Yes

Glass Doors:Yes – Self-closing

Temperature Control and Display: Digital display outside the fridge.

Alarms”:High (+8°C) and Low (+2°C) temperature alarms that emit visual and audible signals.

Grated Shelves and No Door Storage: Yes - Adjustable/Removable Shelves

Lockable Doors: Key locks

520 Litre, Fan-Forced Premium Pharmacy Refrigerator with Digital Temp. Display with High/Low Alarm, and Data Logging

Product Code: TPR-520-1-GD

This Premium range of pharmacy refrigerator suits retail pharmacies, medical centres, hospitals and universities where valuable or particularly sensitive pharmacy/vaccine products must be stored safely. This model is available in four sizes, including 520L, 750L, 950L and, 1150L. Thermoline class 1 Medical Device refrigerators comply to Federal Legislation requiring all medical devices to be registered on the ARTG. All refrigerators are tested in-house in their state of the art testing rooms to ensure they conform to the toughest regulations required as a medical device. 

Premium pharmacy fridges feature non-exposed internal fans, and polyurethane insulation covered by white Colourbond panelling, and stainless steel flooring. Depending on your requirements, you can choose either solid or glass doors.

ARTG Registered: Yes

Glass Doors (optional):Yes – Self-closing.

Temperature Control and Display: External digital display

Alarms:High (+8°C) and Low (+2°C) temperature alarms that emit visual and audible signals.

Adjustable/Removable Grated Shelves and No Door Storage: Yes

Lockable Doors: Yes, key locks

Conclusion

Medical-grade vaccine fridges are more capable of maintaining precise temperatures, are built of more durable, hygienic components, and are less likely to fail. All other features that distinguish vaccine refrigerators are designed to enhance usability and limit temperature deviations.

If you need specific information about vaccine fridges, contact one of the Instrument Choice Scientists. We’re here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].