User guides for temperature monitoring devices (PQS E006)

This page contains a list of user guides for WHO-PQS prequalified cold chain equipment temperature monitoring devices, organised into the following sections:  

• Shipping indicators
• Freeze indicators
• Threshold indicators
• Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVM)
• Remote temperature monitoring devices (RTMD)
• User-programmable temperature data loggers
• 30 day electronic temperature loggers (30DTR)
• Equipment monitoring systems (EMS)

For more information, please visit the E006 Temperature monitoring devices area of the WHO PQS Immunization Devices website.  

Shipping indicators

Electronic shipping indicators are single-use devices designed to monitor vaccine temperature during international shipment from the manufacturer to the primary store. The data they provide is recorded on the Vaccine Arrival Report (VAR).

Freeze indicators

Freeze indicators should be used routinely for internal distribution of freeze-sensitive vaccines and for monitoring freezing events in cold rooms and vaccine refrigerators where alternative devices are not fitted, or are not thought to be reliable.

Threshold indicators

Threshold indicators are single-use or reusable temperature-sensitive devices that trigger an irreversible visual change when a vaccine has been exposed to temperatures above or below a predefined threshold for a sufficient duration to risk potency loss. They are commonly used in vaccine shipments and storage to confirm whether heat or freeze exposure has occurred.

Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVM)

VVMs are small indicators that adhere to vaccine vials and change color as the vaccine is exposed to cumulative heat, letting health workers know whether the vaccine has exceeded a pre-set limit beyond which the vaccine should not be used. A useful list of VVM resources and publications, including user guides, can be found on the VVM Hot Topic page. 

Remote temperature monitoring devices (RTMD)

RTMDs are temperature-monitoring systems that continuously measure, record, and remotely transmit temperature data for vaccine storage units or cold-chain equipment.

User-programmable temperature data loggers

User-programmable temperature data loggers are portable electronic devices that allow immunization programme staff to program and adjust monitoring parameters (e.g., sampling interval, alarm limits). They record temperature data over time for vaccine refrigerators, cold boxes, or transport containers, and stores the data for later retrieval.

30 day electronic temperature loggers (30DTR)

30-day electronic temperature recorders (30DTR) continuously measure and store refrigerator temperatures for at least 30 days, and provide visual alerts (typically on the device display) when temperatures go outside the safe vaccine storage range.

Equipment monitoring systems (EMS)

EMS is a set of WHO PQS specifications that enable standardized, interoperable collection of cold chain equipment performance data. It aims to make those data available to service technicians, health facility workers, and optionally to remote viewers or to aggregate reporting. A comprehensive list of key resources and publications on EMS, can be found on the EMS Hot Topic page.