Vaccines have a major role in protecting animal health and public health, reducing animal suffering, enabling efficient production of food animals, and greatly reducing the need for antibiotics to treat food and companion animals. However, these important benefits can be seriously compromised by poor vaccine storage and handling.
The information presented in this manual will help laboratory technicians, scientists, extension officers, policymakers and private vaccine distributors to improve their understanding of the principles of effective storage and handling of vaccines. Veterinary vaccines, when used in accordance with the label instructions, and in accordance with documented best practice guidelines, are safe and efficacious. Their effectiveness requires proper
storage and handling as detailed in this manual, which has been developed from the experience of scientists, field workers and farmers working in Africa on Newcastle disease control programs.