POST 00506E : PROTECTION OF MORE COLD-SENSITIVE VACCINES

POST 00506E : PROTECTION OF MORE COLD-SENSITIVE VACCINES Follow-up on Posts 00419E, 00428E, 00475E, 00480E, 00482E, 00484E, 00490E, 00491E, 00494E and 00499E. 29 September 2002 __________________________________________________ This posting starts with an erratum to the previous posting (00505E) brought up by the contributor, Ümit Kartoglu, even though it is not the topic of this posting. My apologies for this typo. This is followed by three contributions. The first contribution is from Philippe Jaillard (mailto:[log in to unmask]) and the second from Anthony Battersby (mailto:[log in to unmask]). The third is a short comment and information from Alasdair Wylie (mailto:[log in to unmask]) on the "Vaccines and Biologicals Update" (POST 00491E). __________________________________________________ There is a mistake which is very important and it must be corrected with a note that the first of the two points should read as follows: 1. If vaccines were listed in order of heat sensitivity, OPV would be at the top of the list followed by measles. This list is based on vaccine stability tests at 37°C. (AND NOT 3°C AS WAS POSTED) Ümit Kartoglu __________________________________________________ It seems that up to now there is no technical solution for keeping heat-sensitive vaccines cold and freeze-sensitive vaccines cool at the same time during transportation. Well, to be very practical, the use of temperature monitoring devices as CCM and freeze watch needs to be emphasized for transportation from central to intermediate to peripheral to out-reach level. Most (maybe all ) countries I visited in West Africa don't use such devices at any level. (Except sometimes the central level having and not using CCM provided by vaccines manufacturers with the vaccines) and especially no freeze watch are being used. I think that with some actions like - sensitization of logisticians on the risk of freeze and heat and on the provision and correct use of both CCM/freeze watch at all level, - some practical advices (parallel chains -cool and cold- for out-reach; cool chain for all in-country transport, conditioning of ice pack ...), - confirmation of some principles (reconstituted measles to be kept at +2 to 8°C, diluent to be kept with vaccines at service level...), national logisticians should be able to define procedures adapted to their geographic, logistic and financial conditions. To be frank, with new technologies and use of various strategies (campaigns), it is difficult now for national logisticians to determine what is the correct procedure for what vaccine, what level and what strategy. Could WHO reaffirm the fundamental principles, give few practical advices and publish them ? Philippe Jaillard Conseiller régional logistique des vaccinations, Association pour l'Aide à la Médecine Préventive (AMP) __________________________________________________ I am getting very confused about the freezing issue. We need to know at what temperature Hep B is damaged by freezing. If the GSK test is representative then why are we worrying about -0.5°C? What does "scientific freezing" point mean? Controlling and measuring temperatures around zero is so difficult (look at the problems with FWs), we really need to know urgently the temperature/s at which freeze-sensitive vaccines are damaged. This includes Hep B and pentavalent vaccines. If frozen Hep B is still potent, does it result in a higher rate of sterile abscesses? Where are the answers? Anthony _________________________________________________ This is an important reminder about a document which is still not very widely known. WHO/EURO has prepared a Russian version of it although this is not yet mentioned on the V&B documents website. Alasdair Wylie _________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTRIBUTIONS: Contributions to: or use your reply button! The TechNet21 e-Forum welcomes new subscribers who are involved in immunization services. SUBCRIBE: To subscribe, send an e-mail to: Leave the SUBJECT area BLANK, do not type anything. In the body text, just write: Subscribe TECHNET21E Surname Name Do not use any accents in your name and surname. UNSUBSCRIBE: To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to: Leave the SUBJECT area BLANK, do not type anything. 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