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Managing COVID-19 Vaccines: Guidance and SOPs

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Topics: COVID-19 vaccinePreparingService advice and planning

A series containing guidance and Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for managing COVID-19 vaccines

This article forms part of a series
  1. Managing COVID-19 Vaccines: Guidance and SOPs
    1. Ordering, receiving and storing COVID-19 vaccines
    2. Transporting COVID-19 vaccines
    3. Safe and secure handling, spillage and disposal of COVID-19 vaccines
    4. Moving COVID-19 vaccines legally within the NHS
    5. Preparing Comirnaty 30 micrograms (XBB.1.5) vaccine
    6. Preparing Comirnaty 10 (XBB.1.5) ready to use vaccine
    7. Preparing Comirnaty 3 (THREE) (XBB.1.5) concentrate vaccine
    8. Preparing Spikevax (XBB.1.5) vaccine

Overview

COVID-19 vaccines must be handled with care, and following the manufacturer’s instructions. Our articles and Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) will give vaccination providers the information they need to ensure that the vaccines are fit for purpose when they are administered. 

This linked series of articles provides advice and SOPs for: 

  • Ordering, receipt and storage of COVID-19 vaccines. This includes an SOP for receipt and storage of vaccines at 2°C-8°C 
  • Transporting vaccines from their initial receiving site to a vaccination clinic or to domiciliary settings. This includes an SOP for using cool boxes to maintain the cold chain. 
  • Preparation of each of the vaccines ready for administration, including control of expiry at room temperature. This includes a preparation SOP for each of the different vaccines. 
  • Disposal of un-used vaccines, and dealing with spillages. 

In addition, we have created a linked series of articles to enable users to understand the characteristics of each vaccine. 

Useful Resources

COVID-19 vaccination: vaccine product information – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Update history

  1. VidPrevtyn Beta removed
  1. Removed Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA 4/5, Comirnaty 10 Concentrate for children (5-11 years), Comirnaty 3 (THREE) concentrate and Spikevax Original/Omicron BA 4/5
  1. Spikevax (XBB.1.5) and Comirnaty 3 (THREE) (XBB.1.5) vaccine added to series
  1. Comirnaty 10 (XBB.1.5) ready to administer vaccine added to series
  1. Comirnaty 30 (XBB.1.5) vaccine added to series
  1. Updated with information regarding the Autumn 2023 campaign
  1. Added Comirnaty 3 (THREE) Concentrate
  1. Added Spikevax Original/Omicron BA.4-5
  1. Coming soon note added for Comirnaty 3 (THREE) Concentrate and Spikevax Original/Omicron BA.4-5
  1. Updated to include vaccines used in spring 2023 campaign
  1. Nuvaxovid resources not prepared by SPS. Statement added to clarify this.
  1. Published