Have you ever wondered how vaccines get safely from the manufacturer to pharmacies, health centres and clinics, and into your arm?
It’s okay if you haven’t—that’s the job of Jodi Fayant, Krista Pitts and Courtenay Uhrich.
“I think about vaccines 24/7—you can ask my family!” chuckles Jodi. “I love and respect vaccines. I consider them ‘my babies.”
Jodi is the lead for Interior Health’s (IH) Immunization and Informatics Program. In her role, she makes sure vaccines arrive safely at IH’s vaccine depots and beyond—to public health centres and community vaccine providers and clinics.
The certified medical device technologist has a background in microbiology and has been with IH for 19 years. She’s responsible not just for vaccines, but what’s known as biologicals, such as immune globulins (antibodies from human blood).
“Our job is to ensure every dose administered is safe, effective and protects as expected,” explains Jodi. “Consider a patient receiving chemotherapy, or someone who needs rabies products. A flu vaccine has to protect that vulnerable chemo patient, while someone exposed to rabies will almost certainly die without a treatment that’s effective.”
Follow the vaccine cold chain
Cold chain management is a vital system that ensures vaccines remain at the correct temperatures during storage, transport and handling.
Krista Pitts is a biological product consultant on the Immunization and Informatics Program team. She’s responsible for vaccine transportation logistics and has been with IH for 17 years.
“Vaccines are sensitive products,” explains Krista. “They can be damaged permanently by improper handling and storage, and exposure to heat, light or freezing temperatures. Compromised vaccines are disposed of immediately. Not only are damaged vaccines ineffective, but they are a waste of valuable resources.”
“This process starts at the manufacturer of the vaccine and doesn’t end until it’s administered,” says Krista. “The process safeguards vaccines’ potency and protects public health.”
Follow a shipment of vaccines as it leaves the BC Centre for Disease Control, arrives at IH, and is distributed to pharmacies and community health clinics.
Diligent about protecting patient safety
Jodi and Krista share that there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to vaccine logistics.
“Our front-line staff are very diligent about protecting patient safety. They’re trained to follow protocols for handling, storing and transporting vaccines,” says Krista. “We also conduct regular audits of our processes.”
“Every vaccine expands the public’s bubble of protection, which is why cold chain management is taken very seriously,” adds Jodi.
“We like to think of it as saving the world, one vaccine at a time.”
April 21-30 is National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada. This annual event highlights and recognizes the importance of immunizations. Read personal accounts of people who have personally witnessed the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases on their loved ones.
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