What is NOT a recommended step if a vaccine is suspected to be compromised due to temperature exposure?

When a vaccine is suspected to be compromised due to temperature exposure, it’s crucial to follow the appropriate protocols to ensure patient safety and maintain the integrity of the immunization program. Placing the vaccine back in the regular inventory is not recommended because doing so could expose patients to a vaccine that may no longer be effective. If the vaccine’s stability and efficacy cannot be confirmed, it should not be administered.

The other steps—consulting the manufacturer for guidance, checking the expiration date, and documenting the incident—are all essential actions. Consulting the manufacturer provides specific advice regarding the compromised vaccine, including whether it can still be used or needs to be discarded. Checking the expiration date helps ensure that even if the vaccine was initially stored correctly, it is still within the usable period. Documenting the incident is vital for record-keeping and for taking appropriate steps to prevent similar situations in the future. Therefore, returning a potentially compromised vaccine to inventory goes against best practices in immunization safety.