Vaccine Temperature Monitoring: Fridges & Data Loggers

Vaccines lose potency if they get too warm — or if they freeze. Damage is often invisible, so the only protection is continuous, reliable temperature monitoring of every fridge and freezer they're stored in.

Storage temperatures

• Most vaccines are stored refrigerated between +2 °C and +8 °C.
• Some are stored frozen, and certain products need ultra-low temperatures.
• Always follow the manufacturer's and national programme's requirements for each product.

What a good vaccine monitoring system does

Records continuously. A data logger captures every excursion — including overnight and weekends — not just the twice-daily manual check.

Measures product temperature, not air. Air temperature swings every time the door opens. A probe in a glycol-filled bottle responds more like a vial of vaccine, reducing false alarms while still catching real problems.

Alarms immediately. Audible and visual alarms, plus remote notifications, let staff act before stock is lost.

Shows the history at a glance. Minimum, maximum and average temperatures and a cumulative alarm record make daily checks and audits quick.

The MadgeTech VTMS

The VTMS vaccine temperature monitoring system is designed for exactly this. It is a wireless, two-way system with a Type K thermocouple, an optional glycol bottle, audible and LED alarms, a cumulative alarm display and on-screen min, max and average statistics. Without the glycol bottle it can record down to -100 °C, so it also suits freezers.

For wider pharmacy or clinic monitoring, Bluetooth LynxPro loggers and the wireless RFRHTemp2000A cover rooms, fridges and storage areas.

Good practice checklist

• Map new or relocated fridges before use — see our thermal mapping guide.
• Place the probe in the centre of the storage area, away from walls, the door and the cooling plate.
• Check readings and min/max values at least daily, and record the checks.
• Keep loggers calibrated — see data logger calibration and ISO 17025.
• Have a written plan for excursions and power failures.