Understanding New Brunswick’s Vaccine Storage Policy
The New Brunswick Vaccine Storage, Handling and Transportation Policy establishes provincial requirements for cold chain management of publicly funded vaccines. Issued by the New Brunswick Department of Health, it applies to all providers receiving publicly funded vaccines.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to:
- Public health
- Pharmacies administering publicly funded vaccines
- Physician offices
- Community providers
- Regional health authorities
Key Storage Requirements
New Brunswick cold chain requirements include:
- Temperature Range: +2°C to +8°C for publicly funded vaccines
- Manufacturer Thresholds: Adhere to manufacturer temperature thresholds for each product
- Cold Chain Maintenance: Maintain the cold chain during transport, storage, and handling
- Documentation: Monitor, record, and document storage temperatures
Maintaining the Cold Chain
New Brunswick requires that the cold chain be maintained at all times during transport, storage, and handling of vaccines. Providers must:
- Store vaccines at +2°C to +8°C and follow manufacturer thresholds
- Check cold chain breach markers and indicators on receipt of shipments
- Use min-max thermometers for in-community transport
- Record temperatures to demonstrate continuous compliance
ATEK supports these requirements with:
- Temperature readings every 15 minutes
- Multi-channel alerts (SMS, email, phone)
- Cloud-based data storage with unlimited history
- Automatic breach documentation
Receiving and Transporting Vaccines
Cold Chain Breach Check on Receipt
On receipt of a shipment, providers must check cold chain breach markers and indicators before accepting and storing the vaccine. ATEK’s timestamped records provide a clear temperature history for each unit received.
In-Community Transport
Min-max thermometers are recommended for monitoring temperatures during in-community transport. ATEK’s wireless sensors capture minimum and maximum temperatures throughout transport, storage, and handling.
Cold Chain Breach Procedures
When a suspected breach occurs, New Brunswick requires:
- Document: Record the suspected breach and secure affected vaccines
- Quarantine: Mark affected vaccines “DO NOT USE” and store separately
- Report: Notify the appropriate authority of the suspected breach
- Assessment: Wait for guidance before discarding any vaccines
ATEK automatically captures all data needed for breach reports:
- Exact time the excursion began and ended
- Minimum and maximum temperatures during the event
- Duration of the temperature deviation
- Complete audit trail for regulatory review
Temperature Monitoring and Documentation
New Brunswick requires storage temperatures to be monitored, recorded, and documented. Requirements for monitoring include:
- Continuous temperature monitoring capability
- Min/max temperature recording
- Valid calibration
- Downloadable data for review
ATEK sensors support all New Brunswick monitoring requirements and add wireless connectivity, cloud storage, and automated compliance reporting.
Training Requirements
New Brunswick expects all personnel handling vaccines to be trained in cold chain procedures, including:
- Correct storage and handling
- Breach response protocols
- Access to written procedures
ATEK’s user-friendly dashboard supports training with intuitive access to monitoring data, clear alert management, and straightforward compliance reporting.
How ATEK Supports New Brunswick Compliance
Continuous Monitoring
ATEK monitors vaccine storage temperatures around the clock, providing:
- Readings every 15 minutes
- Immediate alerts when temperatures approach limits
- Complete temperature history
- Evidence of continuous compliance
Multi-Channel Alerts
When temperatures deviate from range, ATEK sends alerts via:
- SMS text message
- Email notification
- Phone call escalation
Alert recipients can be configured to match your facility’s chain of responsibility, ensuring the right staff receive appropriate notifications day or night.
Audit-Ready Documentation
ATEK maintains complete records for provincial review:
- Temperature logs with timestamps
- Calibration certificates
- Breach reports with corrective actions
- Equipment monitoring history