Weaknesses of vaccine storage in Primary Healthcare Centers.

Objective: assessment through qualitative approach of vaccine storage in Primary Healthcare Centers.

Method: assessment study of qualitative approach in which 30 interviews were conducted with nurses, nursing technicians or assistants and technical reference in immunization, in 12 vaccine rooms that had 100% of the structural criteria evaluated. Recorded testimonials of the subjects were organized and analyzed using thematic Content Analysis.

Results: the assessment pointed to absence of knowledge on the parts of nurses and nursing technicians and assistants with respect to the effects of low temperature on vaccines. Barriers were also encountered in relation to the supervision of nurses in the vaccine room activities and in relation to the knowledge needed by workers to care for preservation of vaccines.

Conclusion: vaccine storage is inadequate and may compromise the quality of the immunobiologicals dispensed to the populace.