Meeting abstract

DECREASE IN EFFICACY OF CHILD VACCINES DUE TO HIGHER ENVIRONMENT TEMPERATURES

Lorena Karla Rudež ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Tin Šklebar ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Kristian Dominik Rudež ; Health Center Borongaj, Health Center Zagreb - Istok, Zagreb, Croatia
Robert Likić ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; University Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Introduction: During summer months, many medicines are exposed to inadequate storage tempera-tures, which can decrease their efficacy. Vaccines are listed among the group of medicines that are most sensitive to storage in high temperatures.
Methods: A list of mandatory childhood vaccines was obtained from the Croatian Institute for Public Health. Those vaccines have been compared with regard to their described stability at different envi-ronmental temperatures, according to information from the World Health Organization.
Results: Majority of vaccines are most stable and best stored at temperatures between 2 and 8 °C. At high temperature exposure, the most sensitive vaccine is the inactivated vaccine for poliovirus, which can remain stable for only a few weeks if stored at temperatures of 20°C or higher. When stored at 37°C, the MMR vaccine is stable for two weeks, while the Pertussis vaccine retains its effect for only a week. At that temperature Hepatitis B vaccine loses 20% of its effectiveness. At 45°C it lasts no more than a few days, while other listed vaccines are either completely unstable, or inadequately effective at temperatures that high. Out of the listed vaccines, the most stable is the tetanus and diphtheria toxoids one which can be stored at temperatures of up to 55°C.
Conclusion: It is of utmost importance to educate and inform physicians about proper ways of storing vaccines, especially during the summer months. In case of inappropriate storage, there is a risk of di-minished effect of vaccines, which can lead to inadequate immunization of children.

Keywords

Vaccine; stability; high fever; efficacy; children

Hrčak ID:

232979

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/232979

Publication date:

31.12.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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