Cancer patients are at increased risk for infection, which is why everything is important—including proper cleaning of vaccine refrigerators.

Although plenty of people are now living with cancer, it’s still not a pleasant prospect to get a cancer diagnosis.  To add to the worry, cancer patients are also at increased risk of contracting infections.  Cancer treatment suppresses the immune system.  In addition, cancer patients spend a lot of time in healthcare settings where they can be directly or indirectly exposed to infections, and they also often undergo surgeries that compromise the skin barrier. The CDC has released an infection control guide for cancer outpatient facilities that includes guidance on cleaning and monitoring vaccine refrigerators.