Medical & Vaccine Fridges

What is a medical fridge?

A medical fridge, often called a vaccine fridge or pharmacy fridge, is designed to hold a steady +2°C to +8°C, the range used for vaccines and many temperature-sensitive medicines. Compared with a general-purpose display fridge, it adds the safeguards a clinic needs: temperature and door alarms, a record of the warmest and coldest temperatures reached, a lockable self-closing door, and a way to link the fridge to a building or temperature monitoring system.

Who uses medical fridges?

• Pharmacies: vaccines and refrigerated medicines, behind a glass door so stock can be checked without opening it.
• GP clinics and medical centres: vaccine stock for immunisation programs.
• Specialist and allied health clinics: refrigerated medicines and products.
• Veterinary clinics: animal vaccines and medicines.
• Aged care facilities: refrigerated medicines kept on site.

Vaccine storage rules in Australia

Vaccine storage in Australia is guided by the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines, Strive for 5, published by the Australian Government. They set +2°C to +8°C as the storage range, recommend purpose-built vaccine refrigerators and say domestic fridges, including bar fridges, are not suitable. They also cover temperature monitoring, such as checking and recording minimum and maximum temperatures, and data logging. States and territories add their own requirements. Before you buy, read the current guidelines and your state or territory health department's requirements, and confirm the fridge you choose meets them. Our product pages list the maker's data; they are not a statement that a fridge meets any particular guideline.

What to look for in a medical fridge

• Temperature control: a digital controller that holds +2°C to +8°C, fan-forced air circulation for even temperatures from top to bottom, and automatic defrost.
• Alarms: audible and visual alarms for temperature and for a door left open.
• Temperature records: a min/max temperature recorder at the least, plus a way to log data continuously if your requirements call for it. A BMS (building management system) dry contact lets you connect the fridge's alarm to a monitoring or back-to-base system.
• Security: a lockable, self-closing door keeps stock secure and stops the door being left ajar.
• Glass door and lighting: a double-glazed glass door and LED interior light let staff check stock and read labels without opening the door.
• Capacity: choose a size that holds your peak stock, such as during flu vaccine season, without packing the shelves tight. Air needs to move around the stock to keep every shelf in range.
• Room temperature: check the fridge's maximum room rating, keep it out of direct sun and away from heat sources, and leave the clearances the maker specifies.
• Power: plug the fridge into its own power point, not a double adaptor or extension lead, and label the outlet so nobody switches it off.

Our range

We stock the Bromic MediFridge range: three glass door models, all 595mm wide and holding +2°C to +8°C. Each has fan-forced air circulation, audible and visual temperature and door alarms, a min/max temperature recorder, a BMS dry contact, a lockable self-closing door in double-glazed Low-E glass with argon gas, LED lighting, automatic defrost, R600a refrigerant and a standard 10 amp plug. They are rated for rooms up to 32°C.

Bromic also offers the Medi-Log 2 data logger for MediFridge models. Ask us if you'd like one with your fridge.

Looking after a medical fridge

• Run a new fridge empty and check that it holds +2°C to +8°C before you load stock.
• Keep stock off the floor and away from the back wall and fan, and don't overfill the shelves, so air can move around it.
• Keep the door closed and locked, and check the door seal regularly.
• Read and record temperatures as your guidelines require, and act on any alarm straight away.
• Have a plan for power failures and alarms, including where stock will go and who to call.
• Keep the condenser clean. Repairs should be done by a licensed refrigeration technician; for Bromic models under warranty, they are carried out through Bromic's national service network.

Delivery and our price-beat guarantee

We deliver Australia-wide by tailgate truck to the front of your premises; standard delivery doesn't include carrying the fridge inside or unpacking it. The tallest model is just over 2 metres tall in its packaging, so check your doorways. Prices are shown ex GST with the GST-inclusive price alongside. Found a lower price? Send us the link under our Price-Beat Guarantee and we'll send you a one-off discount code.

Medical fridge FAQs

Can I store vaccines in a normal fridge?

Australia's National Vaccine Storage Guidelines recommend purpose-built vaccine refrigerators and say domestic fridges, including bar fridges, are not suitable. Choose a fridge made for medical storage and check it against the guidelines and your state's requirements.

What temperature does a vaccine fridge run at?

+2°C to +8°C. The Bromic MediFridge models hold that range on a digital controller, with audible and visual temperature alarms.

Do they record temperatures?

Each MediFridge has a built-in min/max temperature recorder and a BMS dry contact for connecting to an external monitoring system. For continuous logging, Bromic offers the Medi-Log 2 data logger. Ask us about adding one.

Which size do I need?

Size the fridge for your busiest period, with room left for air to circulate. The 145 litre model is a compact 824mm high, the 215 litre model is a mid-height 1310mm, and the 372 litre model is a full-height 1840mm fridge for larger practices.

Do you install it?

There's nothing to hard-wire: each model plugs into a standard 10 amp power point. We supply the equipment only.

What warranty applies?

Bromic MediFridge models come with Bromic's 5-year Extra Care warranty, covering parts and labour, with warranty repairs carried out through Bromic's national service network.

Related categories

• Upright Fridges
• Undercounter Fridges
• Upright Freezers