Vaccine Storage & Handling

• Store lyophilized vaccine antigen and saline diluent in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
• Do not freeze.
• Protect from light.
• Do not use after the expiration date shown on the vial labels of the lyophilized vaccine antigen and saline diluent.
• After reconstitution, administer Dengvaxia immediately or store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and use within 30 minutes.
  • Discard reconstituted vaccine if not used within 30 minutes.

Preparation

The package contains a vial of lyophilized vaccine antigen and a vial of saline diluent (0.4% NaCl).

• After removing the “flip-off” caps, cleanse the lyophilized vaccine antigen and diluent vial stoppers with a suitable germicide. Do not remove the vial stoppers or metal seals holding them in place.
• To reconstitute Dengvaxia, use a sterile needle and syringe to withdraw 0.6 mL from the diluent vial and inject it into the vial of lyophilized vaccine antigen. Swirl the vial gently.
• Changing needles between withdrawing the vaccine from the vial and injecting it into a recipient is not necessary unless the needle has been damaged or contaminated.

• After reconstitution, the suspension is colorless and may develop trace amounts of white to translucent endogenous proteinaceous particles.
• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Discard the vial if the solution is cloudy or contains particles other than trace amounts of white to translucent particles.
• Dengvaxia should not be mixed in the same syringe with other parenteral products.

Resources

• See the Dengvaxia Package Insertexternal icon for additional information and ingredient list.
• Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit – This toolkit is a comprehensive resource for providers on vaccine storage and handling recommendations and best practice strategies. It includes considerations for equipment, both storage units and temperature monitoring devices, strategies for maintaining the cold chain, routine storage and handling practices, inventory management and emergency procedures for protecting vaccine inventories.