“Cold chain” refers to the process used to maintain optimal conditions during the transport, storage, and handling of vaccines, starting at the manufacturer and ending with the administration of the vaccine to the client. The optimum temperature for refrigerated vaccines is between +2°C(35°F) and +8°C (45°F). For frozen vaccines the optimum temperature is -15°C or lower.
Vaccines are delicate
biological substances that can become less effective or destroyed if they are:
· Frozen
· Allowed to get too hot
· Exposed to direct sunlight or fluorescent light
Proper storage temperatures must be maintained at every link in the chain. Equipment for Transporting and Storing Vaccines
The essential cold chain equipment needed to transport and store vaccines
within a consistent safe temperature range i nclude:
· A refrigerator for storing vaccines
· A digital, electronic or mercury/maximum thermometer and chart for
recording daily temperature reading
· Cold boxes for transporting and storing vaccines
· Ice packs to keep vaccines cool
· Material to separate ice packs from the vaccines when using cold
boxes (e.g. shredded paper, cardboard, bubble wrap or Styrofoam).
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2007/nvshglp-ldemv/section1-eng.php
http://www.state.nj.us/health/er/documents/coldchain.pdf
http://www.who.int/bloodsafety/Manual%20on%20Management,%20Maintenance%20and%20Use%20of%20Blood%20Cold%20Chain%20Equipment.pdf
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