Vaccines are biological products. The proteins, viruses or bacterial fragments they contain are sensitive to temperature. Above 8°C they break down, the vaccine still looks the same, but it doesn’t generate the same immune response. Below 0°C, freezing damages many vaccines irreversibly. The acceptable window for almost all routine vaccines is 2°C to 8°C, all the way from manufacturer to your arm.
What “Strive for 5” means
The Australian National Vaccine Storage Guidelines, known as Strive for 5, target an ideal storage temperature of around 5°C. That centres the window so a small excursion doesn’t push the vaccine out of the safe range.
What a pharmacy should be able to show you
- A purpose-built vaccine fridge (not a domestic kitchen fridge).
- Continuous temperature monitoring with logging, often with alarms for out-of-range readings.
- Written cold-chain breach procedures.
- A vaccine inventory with batch numbers and expiry dates.
- For transport (workplace clinics, aged care), validated insulated transport with continuous temperature logging.
What happens if the cold chain breaks
If a fridge fails or a transport is delayed, affected stock is quarantined and either refunded by the manufacturer (where appropriate) or destroyed. No vaccine is administered if there is doubt about its potency. That is non-negotiable.
Sources & further reading
General information only. This article is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Your immuniser will confirm eligibility and contraindications on the day.
TGA advertising compliance. Vaccines are referred to by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Specific brands and registered indications are discussed at the consultation.