In line with the UK roll-out of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination, leading commercial refrigeration and freezer manufacturer Hoshizaki has today issued a warning to the healthcare sector against using Climate Class 3 or lower rated refrigerators for vaccine storage purposes.
This is because unlike a commercial or climate class 4 or 5 refrigerator, a domestic, climate class 3 (or lower rated) refrigerator is unable to maintain a stable and safe storage temperature when the door of the appliance is opened multiple times a day.
Maintaining safe storage temperatures
“Given that designated AstraZeneca vaccination venues will be vaccinating patients countless times per day, the door of the refrigerator will in-turn need to be opened frequently in order for the vaccine to be retrieved on a patient-by-patient basis. A domestic, Climate Class 3 (or lower) rated refrigerator is simply not designed to be opened to this high level, and therefore will not be able to maintain safe storage temperatures for the vaccine.
It is therefore critical that designated vaccination venues use a commercial, Climate Class 4 or higher rated refrigerator for storing the AstraZeneca vaccine,” says Simon Frost, director, UK & Ireland.
“As a manufacture of commercial freezers and refrigerators, Hoshizaki feel it our responsibility to reinforce the industry about the importance of following these strict storage requirements. We are also currently prioritising enquires and orders made by healthcare venues,” says Frost.
“Due to the significant storage differences required for the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, we would recommend a Hoshizaki refrigerator such as those within our new Gram Compact range, for the former, whilst for the Pfizer vaccine we would suggest a model from our BioLine models which are equipped to store vaccines at the required -70C temperature.”
No matter the model, healthcare professionals can be confident that the AstraZeneca vaccine will be stored in a safe, temperature secure way given that each refrigerator within the expansive Hoshizaki range is Climate Class 4 rated or higher. All Hoshizaki refrigerators also feature efficient air circulation systems meaning temperatures can quickly recover each time the door of the unit it opened.
For complete peace of mind, Hoshizaki refrigerators also feature temperature alarms and come with optional door locks.
Further details:
For more information on models within the Hoshizaki range, please visit here.
