As part of the manufacturer’s licensing conditions, it is recommended that vaccines are kept cool at all stages of their production, distribution and storage. This helps to ensure that they work as well as they can to offer you or your child the best possible protection. Sometimes, however, this ‘cold chain’ as it is called, is interrupted and the vaccines may get warmer or colder than recommended.

Some vaccines are not affected by a short interruption and can still be used. If they are used, they are described as being ‘off-label’ vaccines. If you or your child are offered an off-label vaccine, there is no cause for concern as the healthcare professional will have sought expert advice from the manufacturer or the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that the vaccine is still safe and effective.

This guide describes what it means if a vaccine is stored outside the recommended temperature range.