Our Health Unit’s Vaccine Distribution Program is responsible for the management of all publicly-funded vaccines in Windsor-Essex County. We provide ongoing education regarding proper vaccine ordering, storage, and cold chain management for all health care providers who administer publicly-funded vaccines.
- Vaccine storage and handling
- Vaccine forms
- Adverse events following immunization (AEFI)
- Resources
- Fact Sheets
Vaccine Storage and Handling
Vaccines are sensitive biological substances that need strict conditions to maintain their effectiveness.
By understanding and implementing proper vaccine storage and handling practices, staff in health care provider premises can play a critical role in improving the health of Ontarians by ensuring that the administered vaccines retain their potency and that vaccine wastage is reduced.
The following video has been developed as a refresher for staff working with publicly funded vaccine. We suggest that all staff in your office takes the time to watch it and review the resources listed below.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES:
- Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines
- Maintain the Cold Chain Quick Reference Guide
- Cold Chain Incident Check List
- Cold Chain Incident Report Form
- Cold Chain Inventory Form
- Setting up a New Vaccine Refrigerator (newly acquired or new location)
Remember: If your vaccine has been exposed to a minimum, maximum OR current temperature below +2C or above +8C this is considered a COLD CHAIN EXCURSION/INCIDENT and must be reported to the WECHU immediately.
To report a Cold Chain Incident call 519-258-2146 ext. 1121 (8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday)
Vaccine Ordering
Pre-approved health care facilities can order publicly-funded vaccines from our Health Unit by faxing the completed form to (519)-977-1711, or emailing it to vaccine@wechu.org.
Important
- Include your most recent temperature log with every order (log sheet adapted from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)
- Order only a one month supply to avoid vaccine waste
- Depending on the size of your vaccine fridge, your order may be reduced
Vaccine Order Forms
Completed forms can be returned to the health unit by fax at (519)-977-1711 or by email to vaccine@wechu.org
- Vaccine Order Form
- Vaccine Return Form
- Influenza Vaccine Order and Return Form
- Cold Chain Inventory
- High Risk HPV-9 Vaccine Order Form
- Health Care Provider Immunization Reporting Form
- High Risk Hepatitis Vaccine Order Form
- High Risk Meningococcal Vaccine Order Form
- Healthy Schools Program Administration Record
- School Based Immunization Order Form
Administering the COVID-19 Vaccine
If you are interested in administering the COVID-19 vaccine in your office, view this information, or email vaccine@wechu.org to learn more.
Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI)
- Serious side effects from vaccines are rare.
- Many negative events can be avoided through proper administration of vaccines and assessing patients for contraindications prior to immunization.
- Physicians, members of the College of Nurses of Ontario, and members of the Ontario College of Pharmacists must report AEFI to their Medical Officer of Health under Section 38 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA).
- For the safe monitoring of vaccines, it is important to report any adverse effects after an immunization. The Adverse Events Following Immunization report form should be completed and submitted to the Health Unit within seven days of a suspected reaction to distinguish true vaccine reactions from coincidental, unrelated events.
- AEFI Fact Sheet (PDF)