Cold Chain

Definition :- A system of storing and transporting the vaccine, a low temprature from the place of manufacture to the actual vaccination site is called cold chain. 

-: Importance of Cold chain :- 

- Storing and transporting the vaccine.

- Maintaining the supply of vaccine .

- Keeping the vaccine at low temperatures .

- Protecting the vaccine from sunlight and electricity .

- Maintaining the potency of vaccines.

-: Component of Cold Chain :- 

   i) Equipment

  ii) Supplies

 iii) Manual efforts

 iv) Transportation 

  v) Communication

-: Type of Equipment :- 

  i) Vaccine Carriers

 ii) Cold Packs

iii) Dry carriers

 iv) Refrigerator 

  v) Walk in coller

  i) Vaccine Carriers :- They are suitable to carry small quantity of vaccine to health subcenter, village and small town. 

* A square box made up of heat resistant  material and life impact.  

* For packs of Ice are keeping in this box for al long time. 

* Vaccines can kept upto 2 to 3 days.

* Cold Box :-  This can transport large quantity of vaccines by vehicles.

- Box size are 5 liters to 20 liters.

- It can preserve vaccine for upto 1 weeks without any power supply. 

 ii) Cold Packs :- Flat bottles or plastic which are filled with water no salt should be added in the water. 

* This are used in the vaccine carriers after freezing with water.

iii) Dry carriers :- This equipments are used to keep the vaccine for a day. The capacity is hold 6 to 8 vails for 12 hours.

 iv) Refrigerator :- The freezer , a small deep freezer. Used in all district level vaccines. It is also used to make Ice packs and for storing OPV and major vaccines. 

  v) Walk in coller :- It is used in district health center. All type of vaccine can be kept with safe.

* Supply :- Supply are the vaccine and solvents. They should keep at low temprature. 

* Transportations :- To maintain the potence of vaccine rapid means of transport should used in a specific temprature. 

- Refrigerator should be arranged n the trucks with are heat resistent equipment.

- Aeroplane are used to save time.

* Communication :- All information and ordered associated with cold chain should be immediately and clearly send and recieve. 

- Method of controling cold chain

- Follow all the priscription file transporting vaccine.

- Record the temprature of storage places twince a day and preparing the temprature chart.

- Maintain the equipments of cold chain and the appropriate functioning of its components conducting potency testes from time to time.

- Keep communication system, effective and latest trained all the people assosiated with vaccine about the maintain and control of cold chain.