POST 00970E : VVM USE / INDONESIA

POST 00970E : VVM USE / INDONESIA Follow-up on Posts 00960E, 00962E and 00964E 2 September 2006 _____________________________________ This posting contains two contributions in response to Vijay Kiran's contribution. The first, from Vikram Singh ([log in to unmask]" eudora="autourl">mailto:vikmanu2[log in to unmask]) from India, is in fact two contributions merged into one. The second comes from Ted Prusik ([log in to unmask]" eudora="autourl">mailto:[email protected]) from Temptime Corporation, manufacturer and supplier of VVMs. _____________________________________ Dear Vijay and dear members As far as my information, though DPT is stable, VVM 7 is used because of pertusis component. For Measles & MMR, VVM 14 is used. VVM30 is used for HepB, BCG and TT vaccines. Different VVMs have different cost but the average cost is around 4.5 cents. Its true that freeze sensitive vaccines get damaged when exposed to sub-zero temperatures. However, if there is a doubt, shake test can be carried out to know whether vaccine is in good condition or not. On the other hand if any vaccine is exposed to prolonged heat exposure, it would be very difficult to know its quality without VVM. In a country where temperature in most part of the year is more than 40 degrees centigrade and where transportation time by road may be 5 to 8 days, there would not be any mechanism to know the quality of vaccine (Which has been exposed to heat) without VVM. If the doubt arises, it may be possible that the good vaccine is discarded leading to high wastage. Vikram Singh, Director (IMM) Govt of India ---------------------------------- In response to the question of the cost of the VVMs, below please find our reply: TEMPTIME Corporation is pleased with the important role its HEATmarker® Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) has played for the past 10 years in the "donor vaccine market" (the market managed by international organizations (WHO, UNICEF, PAHO..etc) who buy mostly EPI vaccines for routine or mass immunization in poor or developing countries, generally in multi-dose presentations and at tiered prices). VVMs are irreversible, color-changing devices affixed to each vial of vaccine and assist health workers in the field verify that vaccine has not been heat damaged prior to the immunization of a child. VVMs were initially developed for the fragile OPV and then customized for all the other Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines. TEMPTIME has worked closely with WHO, UNICEF, PATH and other organizations to broaden access to the VVM in the donor market. In parallel with the pharmaceutical companies that supply the vaccine to the donor market, TEMPTIME has adopted a tiered pricing system specifically for the donor market. The VVM is an inexpensive tool providing enormous benefits including a visual assurance that the vaccine in the vial has not lost its potency due to heat damage from the time of manufacture to use by the health worker, even it the warmest climates in the most remote places in the world. HEATmarker VVM CATEGORIES: HEATmarker VVMs are available for the donor market in 4 categories: VVM 2: 2 days @ 37ºC VVM 7: 7 days @ 37ºC VVM 14: 14 days @ 37ºC VVM 30: 30 days @ 37ºC HEATmarker VVM FORMATS: The HEATmarker VVM is available in two formats: 1. Full Label VVM (common label including an integrated time-temperature indicator) – is a customized order specifically manufactured for one vaccine manufacturer, for one specific vaccine and for one specific category of VVM. 2. Dot VVM (time-temperature indicator only) – is a stand alone VVM without text, one type for each category of VVM. HEATmarker VVM PRICING: TEMPTIME publishes and distributes two price guides that contain pricing information for the suppliers of vaccine for use in the donor markets: * The Annual World Wide Vaccine Vial Monitor Price Guide, and * The World Wide Price Guide to Coincide with the UNICEF Tender Awards - every three years. TEMPTIME is considering extending this philanthropic pricing policy to vaccine for the "closed markets" (vaccine markets in developing countries where local producers, who generally do not export product, supply the local needs with mostly EPI mono-valent vaccines). Similar to the pricing policies of vaccine imposed by the vaccine manufacturers, VVMs for use in the private commercial markets are priced differently. A vaccine supplier purchasing a standard Full Label VVM or standard Dot VVM in 2006 for vaccine to be sold solely for use in the donor market can expect a price range of between 3.3 US cents (VVM Dot) to 5.6 US cents (Full Label). Prices vary based upon VVM category, full label size and order quantity. A copy of the Price Guides is available to vaccine manufacturers upon request, e-mail Chris Caulfield: [log in to unmask]" eudora="autourl">mailto:[log in to unmask] Kind regards, Ted Prusik, Ph.D. Sr Vice President Temptime Corporation ______________________________________________________________________________ All members of the TechNet21 e-Forum are invited to send comments on any posting or to use the forum to raise a new discussion or request technical information in relation to immunization services. 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