Improperly Stored Vaccines and the Health of our Children

Center for Disease Control recently reported that many vaccines are improperly stored: 75% of locations monitored had vaccines stored improperly and 25% had expired vaccines.  Very important to note that this study only checked 45 locations, and expired or improperly stored vaccines will not harm a child directly but may leave child defenseless from the deadly diseases that vaccines are suppose to be protecting them from.  The CDC says these problems with vaccines are not causing outbreaks of these deadly diseases; however they are investigating whether a recent outbreak of Whooping Cough in Washington State was caused by this problem.

Since this inquiry was so small, more than likely nothing will be done to rectify this problem until long after your child’s next round of vaccines.  Currently, the CDC is recommending that all doctor’s offices check how they are storing and handling these vaccines.  Self monitoring, great!  That is always so effective (Sarcasm)!

Despite these findings, I hope that this will not deter people who are not opposed to vaccinating their children from having them vaccinated on the recommended schedule. What you can do to insure your child is receiving a proper dose is to ask your doctor’s office about their storage procedures for vaccines and check the expiration date on the vial yourself.  This may just raise your doctor’s awareness about this troubling topic.  I believe that parents will be the key to eliminating this troubling problem.