Which vaccines should be stored in a freezer at temperatures ranging from 5 to -58 degrees F?

Vaccines that should be stored in a freezer at temperatures ranging from 5 to -58 degrees Fahrenheit are classified as frozen vaccines. These vaccines are designed to maintain their stability and effectiveness at freezing temperatures, which can include certain formulations of vaccines such as the varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and some inactivated vaccines that are particularly sensitive to temperature variations.

Storing these vaccines correctly is crucial to preserve their potency. If frozen vaccines are inadvertently stored in a refrigerator or outside the recommended temperature range, it could result in a loss of effectiveness. This illustrates the importance of adhering to specific storage guidelines provided by manufacturers and health organizations to ensure the vaccines are safe and effective when administered.

Other categories of vaccines such as live attenuated, refrigerated, and inactivated vaccines have their specific storage requirements that do not align with the temperatures specified for frozen vaccines.