Department of Health

Cold chain monitoring during vaccine transport

Key messages

  • Every vaccine delivery has a TagAlert® indicator in each box.
  • TagAlert®electronically records the vaccine temperature during transport.
  • If the TagAlert®says ‘OK’, the vaccine is safe to use.
  • If the TagAlert® has an alarm, contact OnelinkExternal Link for advice.

TagAlert® device

Every vaccine delivery has a TagAlert® indicator in each box.

TagAlert device

The TagAlert® electronically records the vaccine temperature during transport. It has four temperature and time-out-of-range alarm limits. An alarm is triggered if a heat or freeze breach occurs during transport from the warehouse to the immunisation provider.

Receiving a delivery and operating the TagAlert® device

Vaccines must be received by practice staff who are educated in cold chain management. Follow these steps:

  1. Sign the delivery docket and return it to the courier.
  2. Remove the TagAlert® immediately and stop the device by pressing and holding the ‘Start/Stop’ button until a black octagon appears.
  3. Read the TagAlert®.
  4. If the TagAlert® has a black octagon and an arrow pointing to the green tick the vaccines are safe to use. Unpack the vaccine into the vaccine fridge.
  5. If the TagAlert® has a black octagon and an arrow pointing to the red X the TagAlert® has alarmed. The vaccine is not okay to use straight away, unpack and isolate the vaccine in the vaccine fridge. Follow the instruction on the report form included in the delivery.
  6. Once the form is complete submit to OnelinkExternal Link .

Wait for advice from the department before discarding or administering compromised vaccine.

TagAlert® hardware – accuracy and validation

TagAlert® is an accurate validation of cold chain management for the delivery of vaccines:

  • The TagAlert® is subjected to a one-point accuracy test before it is shipped to the customer.
  • The TagAlert® is validated for 12 months and has a certificate of validation.
  • Sensitech (manufacturer of TagAlert®) is a world-leading provider of cold chain solutions.

Reviewed 10 July 2023

Health.vic

Contact details

Opening hours:  9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Immunisation Unit Department of Health

Was this page helpful?