MSD Animal Health has launched Fridge Check, a new campaign urging farmers to check their farm fridge temperature and consult their veterinary surgeon about vaccine storage, after conducting research¹ in which not one of 17 farm fridges observed storing vaccines between January and August 2014 were able to maintain the correct internal temperature of between 2⁰C and 8⁰C.

In addition, less than half of those surveyed knew the correct temperature for vaccine storage, showing there is a lack of knowledge surrounding standard procedures.

Paul Williams, MSD Animal Health UK technical manager for ruminants said: "Failing to maintain the correct fridge storage temperature compromises vaccine effectiveness and consequently animal health.

"In a significant number of farm fridges monitored, the temperature was elevated to 8⁰C for long periods of time, with the maximum fridge temperature recorded being 24⁰C.

"In the worst cases, over 60% of fridges had been at 0 ⁰C or below 0 ⁰C long enough for vital contents to freeze. When the temperature is too high, vaccines become ineffective. If frozen, the vaccine is destroyed.

"This research shows we have work to do in educating customers about how to store vaccines and I encourage all farmers to check their farm fridge temperatures.

"To promote better practice, we’ve launched an awareness campaign called Fridge Check to educate farmers on the importance of storing vaccines correctly.

"The campaign is being promoted by Disease? Not On My Farm!, an initiative helping farmers take a more proactive approach to preventing disease on farm."

To find out more, visit the Disease? Not On My Farm! Facebook and Twitter pages or follow the hashtag #FridgeCheck for more information about how to store vaccines correctly.

Reference

1. There is a need to raise farmers’ awareness of correct vaccine storage temperatures. Williams P. (MSD Animal Health), Paixao G. (University of Bristol).

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