Canada Healthcare

Quebec PIQ - Guide des normes et pratiques de gestion des vaccins

The Guide des normes et pratiques de gestion des vaccins is Quebec's official reference for vaccine quality standards. Published by the MSSS, it establishes requirements from manufacturer to administration. ATEK helps Quebec healthcare providers maintain compliance with provincial cold chain requirements.

Authority: Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS)

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Why Choose ATEK for Quebec PIQ Compliance

Meet Quebec Standards

Continuous monitoring satisfies all MSSS cold chain requirements for vaccine storage in Quebec.

Regional Reporting

Generate reports for DSPublique with complete excursion documentation.

Protect Vaccine Inventory

Real-time alerts prevent vaccine loss from undetected temperature excursions.

CISSS/CIUSSS Ready

Enterprise monitoring for multi-site health networks across Quebec.

Quebec PIQ Requirements

Key compliance requirements and how ATEK addresses each one.

Requirement Description ATEK Solution
PIQ.1
Temperature Range
 Vaccines must be stored between +2°C and +8°C for refrigerated products.
Precision Temperature Monitoring
Continuous monitoring with configurable alerts at +2°C and +8°C boundaries ensures vaccines stay within range.
PIQ.2
Cold Chain Maintenance
 All methods to prevent vaccine exposure to non-recommended temperatures during transport, storage, and handling.
Complete Cold Chain Visibility
Monitor temperature throughout reception, storage, and handling with full audit trails.
PIQ.3
Written Procedures
 Vaccination sites must establish written procedures for routine activities and emergency protocols.
Automated Documentation
ATEK generates temperature logs and excursion reports that support your written procedures.
PIQ.4
Local Coordinator
 Each site must designate a local coordinator responsible for vaccine management standards compliance.
Role-Based Access
Configure coordinator access with designated alert recipients and reporting responsibilities.
PIQ.5
Cold Chain Breach Reporting
 All cold chain incidents must be reported to regional public health for evaluation and authorization.
Incident Documentation
Automatic capture of temperature excursions with all data needed for regional health authority reports.
PIQ.6
Staff Training
 Personnel must be trained on quality maintenance procedures and cold chain importance.
User-Friendly Dashboard
Intuitive interface makes it easy for staff to monitor conditions and respond to alerts.

Understanding Quebec Vaccine Management Requirements

The Guide des normes et pratiques de gestion des vaccins is Quebec’s official reference document for vaccine quality standards. Published by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), it establishes the standards to be followed to ensure vaccine quality from the moment they leave the manufacturer until administration.

Regulatory Framework

Quebec’s vaccine management system operates at three levels:

  • Provincial (DGAPSP du MSSS): Establishes standards and guidelines
  • Regional (DSPublique): Oversees compliance across CISSS/CIUSSS and vaccination sites
  • Local (Vaccination Sites): Implements procedures and maintains cold chain

Key Storage Requirements

Refrigerated Vaccines (+2°C to +8°C) Most routine vaccines require storage between +2°C and +8°C. This includes:

  • Routine childhood vaccines
  • Influenza vaccines
  • Most adult immunizations

Frozen Vaccines Certain vaccines require frozen or ultra-low temperature storage:

  • Comirnaty (Pfizer): May require storage at -90°C to -60°C, depending on the formulation (specialized freezer required)
  • Imvamune (Smallpox): Stored at -90°C to -70°C, -60°C to -40°C, or -25°C to -15°C (max 3 months at this range); once thawed, may be refrigerated at 2-8°C for a maximum of 8 weeks
  • COVID-19 vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax) each have distinct protocols including ultra-cold freezing options, refrigeration windows, and specific thaw timelines varying by format

Cold Chain Breach Procedures

When a temperature excursion occurs, Quebec’s protocol requires:

  1. Immediate Segregation: Mark affected vaccines and segregate from usable inventory
  2. Documentation: Record all incident details including duration and temperature readings
  3. Regional Notification: Contact DSPublique using the official evaluation form
  4. Await Authorization: Do not discard or use vaccines until regional public health provides guidance

ATEK automatically captures all data required for the MSSS evaluation form, including:

  • Exact excursion start and end times
  • Minimum and maximum temperatures
  • Duration of the deviation
  • Complete audit trail

How ATEK Supports Quebec Compliance

Continuous Monitoring

ATEK monitors vaccine storage temperatures continuously, providing:

  • Real-time visibility into all storage units
  • Early warning of developing temperature issues
  • Complete temperature history for audit purposes

Multi-Site Management

For CISSS, CIUSSS, and pharmacy chains, ATEK offers:

  • Centralized dashboard for all locations
  • Regional coordinator oversight capabilities
  • Site-level access for local staff
  • Consolidated reporting across the network

Documentation for DSPublique

ATEK maintains records required by regional public health:

  • Continuous temperature logs with timestamps
  • Calibration certificates
  • Excursion reports with corrective actions
  • Equipment maintenance records

Community Pharmacy Requirements

Since March 2020, pharmacists and nurses in community settings must consult the Order of Pharmacists of Quebec regarding:

  • Professional practice for vaccine administration
  • Cold chain maintenance according to MSSS standards
  • Immunizing product management

ATEK helps pharmacies meet these requirements with affordable, easy-to-deploy monitoring solutions.

Related Solutions

Explore ATEK monitoring solutions for Quebec PIQ compliance.

Vaccination Programs

Cold chain monitoring for vaccine storage.

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Hospital Pharmacy

Automated temperature and environmental monitoring for hospital pharmacies.

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Freezer & Refrigerator

Temperature monitoring for cold storage equipment.

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Quebec PIQ FAQs

What temperature range does Quebec require for vaccine storage?

Quebec's Guide des normes requires vaccines to be stored between +2°C and +8°C for refrigerated products. ATEK monitors continuously and alerts when temperatures approach these limits.

What is the PIQ?

The Protocole d'immunisation du Québec (PIQ) is the reference protocol for all healthcare professionals who administer vaccines in Quebec. The Guide des normes et pratiques de gestion des vaccins complements the PIQ with specific cold chain requirements.

What happens during a cold chain breach in Quebec?

When temperatures go outside the required range, the incident must be reported to regional public health (DSPublique) for evaluation. ATEK captures all data needed for the evaluation form including duration, temperatures, and timestamps.

Does ATEK support COVID-19 vaccine storage requirements in Quebec?

Yes, ATEK supports all COVID-19 vaccine storage requirements including ultra-low temperature monitoring for Pfizer/Comirnaty (which may require -90°C to -60°C depending on formulation). Each COVID-19 vaccine has distinct storage protocols with specific freezing, refrigeration, and thaw timelines.

Can ATEK monitor multiple CISSS/CIUSSS sites?

Yes, ATEK's enterprise platform provides centralized monitoring across all sites in a health network, with configurable access levels for regional coordinators and local staff.

What documentation does ATEK provide for Quebec inspections?

ATEK provides continuous temperature logs, min/max readings, calibration certificates, excursion reports with corrective actions, and complete audit trails meeting MSSS requirements.

Need Help with Quebec PIQ Compliance?

Our team of compliance experts can help you implement monitoring solutions that meet Quebec PIQ requirements. Contact us for a consultation or demo.

Customized compliance assessment for your facility

Validation documentation packages (IQ/OQ/PQ)

Expert support for audits and inspections

Speak with a Compliance Expert

Our team is available to discuss your specific Quebec PIQ compliance requirements.

compliance@atek.io

Get in Touch

Related Regulations

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Ontario Vaccine Guidelines

The Ontario Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines establish provincial requirements for cold chain management as part of the Ontario Public Health Standards framework. These guidelines apply to all Ontario healthcare providers storing and administering publicly funded vaccines. ATEK's monitoring solutions help Ontario providers maintain compliance while protecting valuable vaccine inventory.
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PHAC Vaccine Guidelines

The National Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines published by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) establish the national standard for vaccine cold chain management across all Canadian jurisdictions. ATEK's monitoring solutions help healthcare providers maintain compliance with these federal guidelines while protecting valuable vaccine inventory.
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BCCDC Immunization

The BCCDC Immunization Program establishes cold chain management requirements for all vaccine storage in British Columbia. ATEK's monitoring solutions help BC healthcare providers maintain compliance with provincial guidelines and protect vaccine inventory.

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