Protecting vaccines from cold

When outside temperatures soar, health officials work hard to keep vaccines cool during transport and storage. But sometimes these vital vaccines become too cool, suffering freeze damage that can affect their potency and diminish their ability to protect children from debilitating illnesses. Multicountry studies have verified that accidental freezing of vaccine occurs at alarming rates throughout the developed and developing worlds.

To solve this problem, PATH scientists turned to additives that protect foods, consumer products, and medicines from freeze damage. They soon discovered a way to incorporate the additives into vaccine formulations and protect common vaccines from the effects of accidental freezing.

In 2008, PATH placed the freeze-stabilization technology in the public domain, allowing vaccine manufacturers worldwide to access the approach. The technology has since been transferred to vaccine producers for use in two childhood vaccines. Adding only a fraction of a penny per dose, the breakthrough will allow them to protect vaccines that are vital to children’s health.

Photo: Umit Kartoglu.

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