This page provides supply chain managers with a list of key resources when planning to integrate temperature-sensitive health products into the vaccine cold chain. Resources are grouped as follows:
- WHO-UNICEF Joint Statements
- Guidance on cold chain integration
- Integration case studies
- Integrating oxytocin
- Private sector engagement
- Journal articles on cold chain integration
In addition to the resources listed below, WHO provides a selection of tools for optimizing the performance of immunization supply chains, including the Immunization Supply Chain Sizing Tool. This planning tool can be used by national programme managers to estimate the size of the required supply chain infrastructure for vaccine and other health product storage and transportation at each level and facility. A full list of WHO tools can be found here.
WHO-UNICEF Joint Statements on cold chain integration
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature-sensitive health products in the expanded programme on immunization cold chain (19 November 2020) | UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) | 2020 | Guidance | English |
| Temperature-sensitive health products in the expanded programme on immunization cold chain (05 May 2015) | UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO) | 2015 | Guidance | English |
Guidance on cold chain integration
Integration case studies
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of Routine Immunization System Integration Enablers and Obstacles in Nigeria | JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc | 2025 | Poster/infographic | English |
| Outsourcing Transport to Improve Health at the Last Mile: A Case Study | VillageReach | 2016 | Case study | English |
Integrating oxytocin
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrating Oxytocin into the Vaccine Cold Chain to Improve Management of Post-Partum Haemorrhage in Uganda | Andualem Oumer, Jane Briggs, Eric Jemera | 2020 | Report | English |
| Overcoming barriers to integrating oxytocin into the immunization cold chain at health facilities - Practical Guidance for Policymakers | JSI | 2020 | Guidance | English |
| Appropriate storage and management of oxytocin – a key commodity for maternal health | World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) | 2019 | Guidance | English |
| Final Report: Integrating Oxytocin Into the EPI Cold Chain | Jane Briggs | 2020 | Report | English |
| Integrating oxytocin delivery through the vaccine cold chain system within the expanded programme of immunisation in Ethiopia: a case of evidence-informed decision-making | Abdulhalik Workicho, Tsinuel Girma, Bereket Yakob, Zemzem Mohammed, Melkamu Ayalew, Mariamawit Asfaw, Mirkuzie Woldie | 2026 | Journal article | English |
Guidance on private sector engagement
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outsourcing Vaccine Supply Chain and Logistics to the Private Sector | PATH, World Health Organization (WHO) | 2012 | Case study | English, French |
| Increasing Local Private Sector Engagement in LMIC Public Health Systems | VillageReach | 2024 | Guidance | English |
Journal articles on cold chain integration
| Title | Author | Year | Type | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The origins of the vaccine cold chain and a glimpse of the future | John Lloyd, James Cheyne | 2017 | Journal article | English |