Journal article
Cold-Chain Adaptability During Introduction of Inactivated Polio Vaccine in Bangladesh, 2015
Background: Introduction of inactivated polio vaccine creates
challenges in maintaining the cold chain for vaccine storage and
distribution. Methods. We evaluated the cold chain in 23 health
facilities and 36 outreach vaccination sessions in 8 districts and
cities of Bangladesh, using purposive sampling during
August–October 2015. We interviewed immunization and cold-chain
staff, assessed equipment, and recorded temperatures during vaccine
storage and transportation. Results: All health facilities had
functioning refrigerators, and 96% had freezers. Temperature
monitors were observed in all refrigerators and freezers but in
only 14 of 66 vaccine transporters (21%). Recorders detected
temperatures >8°C for >60 minutes in 5 of 23 refrigerators
(22%), 3 of 6 cold boxes (50%) transporting vaccines from national
to subnational depots, and 8 of 48 vaccine carriers (17%) used in
outreach vaccination sites. Temperatures <2°C were detected in 4
of 19 cold boxes (21%) transporting vaccine from subnational depots
to health facilities and 14 of 48 vaccine carriers (29%).
Conclusions: Bangladesh has substantial cold-chain storage and
transportation capacity after inactivated polio vaccine
introduction, but temperature fluctuations during vaccine transport
could cause vaccine potency loss that could go undetected.
Bangladesh and other countries should strive to ensure consistent
and sufficient cold-chain storage and monitor the cold chain during
vaccine transportation at all levels.
Authors
Languages
- English
Publication year
2017
Journal
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume
Suppl. 1
Type
Journal article
Categories
- Supply chain & logistics
Diseases
- Polio
Countries
- Bangladesh
Tags
- Cold box / vaccine carrier
- Coverage monitoring
- Distribution system
- IPV
- Refrigerator / freezer
- Temperature monitoring
WHO Regions
- South-East Asia Region