The accreditation for a vaccine provider at the centre of Covid-19 vaccine cold chain failure had lapsed, a report on the incident says. It found that ESL’s cold chain accreditation had expired in November 2021 and that despite ongoing attempts by the firm to arrange an accreditation appointment one was not confirmed. ‘‘In early February, a decision was made mutually by (an immunisation co-ordinator) and ESL to delay cold chain accreditation renewal until the installation of a new vaccine fridge, planned for later in the month in ESL’s new premises,’’ the report said. ‘‘Had the cold chain accreditation renewal been completed in November 2021, the potential cold chain failure in December 2021 and January 2022 may not have been discovered at this time or at all,’’ the report said. The report recommended that ESL improve temperature monitoring procedures, that the SDHB review if it had enough immunisation co-ordinators, and that the status of cold chain accreditation of vaccination providers be updated monthly.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 09, 2022 04:50 UTC