A small unit has less equipment but the same responsibility. The Ministry of Health's Standing Circular on the Expanded Programme on Immunization (2008/14) sets the minimum arrangement as follows.
| Element | In the circular |
|---|---|
| Fridge | Double-door no-frost preferred; vaccines never in the freezer |
| Contents | Vaccines, diluents, antisera, ice packs, water bottles; nothing on the door shelf |
| Measurement | At least one reliable thermometer; a broken one is replaced at once |
| Records | Chart on the door, at least twice a day; below it the name of the person responsible and a deputy |
| Thermal mass | Water bottles in the bottom compartment |
In a long power cut the temperature is checked regularly, the freezer ice packs are moved to the fridge door if needed and the door is opened as little as possible; a well-insulated fridge usually holds its temperature for 24 hours this way, and beyond that the emergency plan applies. Frozen vaccine is damaged irreversibly and a shake test does not show that it is usable, which is why recorded monitoring is the basis.