The eye-watering cost of vaccine wastage and the serious public health threat posed by compromised vaccines already given to Australians are making headlines across major news outlets right now, underscoring the need for urgent action.
The national press reported last week that over 1,200 patients at a general practice in Sydney’s inner west – including hundreds of children receiving their first vaccinations under the age of five – were informed that the vaccines they received between December 2019 and July 2024 may not be fully effective due to improper storage, leaving them prone to serious diseases like polio, hepatitis, meals, whooping cough and pneumonia.
It was also revealed that the Australian Government spends approximately $446 million per year buying vaccines for the National Immunisation Program Schedule (NIP) – but approximately $22.3 million is wasted annually due to improper storage such as cold-chain breaches, according to figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Cold-chain breaches occur when vaccines are not kept within the recommended temperature range of 2°C to 5°C, leading to spoilage and diminished immunisation efficacy.
“An urgent solution is needed,” says Terrence Daniel, General Manager at PSS Distributors, which is a leader in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) technology. “It’s terrifying to think that so many Australians – including our most vulnerable, like infants and the elderly – believe they are being protected by vaccines when they may not be safeguarded at all. And with our economy under immense strain right now, it’s disheartening to see over $22 million wasted each year on something as fundamental as proper vaccine storage.
Offering a practical, cost-effective solution to this critical issue, PSS Distributors and medical refrigeration manufacturer Vacc-Safe have introduced the Vacc-Safe PowerGuard refrigerator – Australia’s first vaccine refrigerator equipped with an integrated UPS battery backup. This ground-breaking technology ensures vaccines remain stored under optimal conditions – even during power outages – while adhering to and exceeding strict government regulations.
“This innovation will help protect the health of all Australians and ensure that vaccines are accessible to everyone, along with the potential to save the government millions in unnecessary vaccine wastage,” says Daniel.
“The integration of a backup battery into a vaccine-safe refrigerator guarantees that vaccines remain effective and safe, even during power failures or extreme weather conditions. Plus, it eliminates the need for a separate backup battery, streamlining the installation process,” he says.
In accordance with government regulations, all vaccines must be stored in a dedicated vaccine refrigerator that is data-logged and reviewed weekly. The Vacc-Safe PowerGuard not only meets these requirements but also sets new standards with features such as UPS battery backup, high-precision temperature control, continuous data logging, weekly reporting capabilities, and a streamlined design that removes the need for a separate refrigerator and bulky UPS system.
“This isn’t just about technology – it’s about trust and safety for our community. With the Vacc-Safe PowerGuard, we are taking decisive action to ensure that every vaccine administered meets the highest standards of efficacy and reliability,” says Daniel.
The Vacc-Safe PowerGuard vaccine refrigerator is available to pharmacies and healthcare providers nationwide through the PSS Distributors website.
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About us:
About PSS Distributors
PSS Distributors is a pioneer in UPS back-up battery technology, providing cutting-edge solutions to businesses and healthcare providers in Australia and New Zealand. With a focus on innovation, quality and safety, PSS Distributors delivers products that ensure the integrity and efficacy of medical supplies, contributing to improved patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.
About Vacc-Safe
Vacc-Safe is a leading manufacturer of medical-grade refrigeration solutions, specialising in the development of purpose-built vaccine refrigerators that meet government standards for cold-chain management.
Contact details:
For more information or to arrange an interview with Terrence Daniel, General Manager at PSS Distributors, please contact Georgia Madden at georgia@urdigital.com.au or 0424 854 208.
