National and regional guidance is available to support health care professionals to respond to errors in vaccine storage, handling and administration.

Please note that while the principles for investigating cold chain incidents should be followed, not all the advice may apply to the coronavirus COVID-19 vaccines.

For incidents involving COVID-19 vaccines please contact your systems vaccination operation centre (SVOC).

The national guidance on Vaccine Incident Guidance

NHS England East of England’s Cold Chain Policy 

East Of England Cold Chain Toolkit 2023 (to be used in conjunction with the EoE Cold Chain Policy document)

Vaccines stored outside recommended temperature range leaflet

National resources for Off-label vaccine leaflets

Any vaccines that need to be discarded must be reported on the ImmForm website

****NEW 20 March 2024****

As you are aware, incident reporting in all healthcare settings is vitally important. When things go wrong, it is often a system failure; reporting is not about blame or highlighting individuals, it is about sharing information. Incident reporting allows us to share lessons identified which will improve patient safety and care quality. It also allows us to develop interventions and mitigate risks.

As a region, it would help us greatly if any immunisation and vaccinations incidents, events or near misses could be sent to us to allow us to offer our support and highlight any necessary changes to process needed.

We have recently updated our vaccine incident reporting form, it is not essential that this form is used. We would appreciate you sharing any information, in any format.

By informing us of immunisation and vaccinations incidents, events or near misses, it will help us achieve our aim of clinical excellence.

If you could complete the form linked below or send in your own format to: england.eoe-vacprg@nhs.net

NHSE East of England Regional Vaccine Incident Reporting Form

Links to other useful sites

Yellow Card Reporting via MHRA

Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)

Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)

SPS Refrigerated medicines stability tool

PLEASE ENSURE GUIDANCE IS ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINKS PROVIDED. ANY ITEMS PRINTED MAY QUICKLY BECOME OUT OF DATE******************************************