As per the directives of the CDC, health facilities must have a vaccine storage and temperature monitoring equipment on-premises. These include pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators and freezers. In addition to this, facilities must be equipped with temperature monitoring devices (TMDs).
As COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, the vaccine must be kept in proper conditions during transportation. A Vaccine temperature monitoring device is in high demand. According to the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC, these devices should have the following essential features:
- Continuous monitoring with a temperature display (maximum, minimum, and current)
- Monitor and record the temperature
- The device should connect to a computer to download and analyze data
- Accuracy (+/- 1 degree Fahrenheit and +/- 0.5 degree Celsius)
- Sounds an alarm when the temperature goes out of range
- Logs the temperature every 30 minutes
When it comes to TMDs, CDC recommends using continuous monitoring devices. These are also called Digital Data Loggers (DDL). The device should also have a buffered probe, which accurately logs the temperature of the vaccine.
CDC provides guidelines for Vaccine Storage and Handling. Please visit the link for details.
These devices monitor the temperature and humidity levels to ensure that the vaccine remains viable. Moreover, these devices connect with multiple sensors and can monitor the temperature in various places. Some of the popular vaccine temperature monitoring devices are as follows:
Winland EnviroAlert EA800-IP
The device has a monitoring console. The temperature monitor also has an in-built security system. The device integrates with twelve temperature sensors: eight of these are wireless sensors, and four of these are wired sensors. In addition to monitoring temperature, the device also monitors humidity, water, gas, and pressure. The data uploads to the Cloud and is available on a web-based application. Through the app, you can monitor the temperature and other readings in real-time.
You can set the data collection frequency at 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and so on. Data collection frequency refers to the time interval between each recorded reading. The data collection storage includes 10,000 data points, whereas CDC recommends memory storage of at least 4,000 data points.
Sensaphone Sentinel SCD-1200
The Sensaphone temperature device has twelve inputs that connect to temperature, humidity, water levels, smoke, PH level, soil moisture, and other sensors. Apart from monitoring the temperature of the vaccine, the device can also measure the temperature of farms, barns, livestock, etc.
The data is available on the Cloud. If the temperature exceeds the limits, the alarm will notify you on a web-based application. The alarm system is also available on the device locally, in the form of LEDs. You can also receive texts and emails. Also, if the internet connection goes down, the app will notify immediately.
Accsense A2-05
The Accsense A2-05 requires a 5V supply, which means that it is easy to install in hospitals and medical facilities. You can install it in the wall socket. The device connects to the Wi-Fi to provide real-time temperature monitoring. You can view the data on the web-based application by logging into your account. The device sounds the alarm and sends a phone call to multiple people if the temperature exceeds the limit. The device has temperature inputs for two sensors and one input for a thermocouple.
There is no need to connect the device to a Wi-Fi module since it already has one in-built. In case of a power outage, the device has an internal battery monitoring the temperature for up to six hours. During this time, it can store up to 256 data points.