Journal article
The origins of the vaccine cold chain and a glimpse of the future
International efforts to eradicate smallpox in the 1960s and 1970s provided the foundation for efforts to expand immunization programmes, including work to develop immunization supply chains. The need to create a reliable system to keep vaccines cold during the lengthy journey from the manufacturer to the point of use, even in remote areas, was a crucial concern during the early days of the Expanded Programme on Immunization. The vaccine cold chain was deliberately separated from other medical distribution systems to assure timely access to and control of vaccines and injection materials. The story of the early development of the vaccine cold chain shows how a number of challenges were overcome with technological and human resource solutions. For example, the lack of methods to monitor exposure of vaccines to heat during transport and storage led to many innovations, including temperature-sensitive vaccine vial monitors and better methods to record and communicate temperatures in vaccine stores. The need for
Authors
Languages
- English
Publication year
2017
Journal
Vaccine
Volume
17
Type
Journal article
Categories
- Supply chain & logistics
Tags
- Cold box / vaccine carrier
- Distribution system
- Refrigerator / freezer
- Temperature indicator