Emphasis has long been placed on keeping vaccines cold, with less attention devoted to prevention of vaccine damage from freezing. Published reports and field evidence now demonstrate that freezing of vaccines in the cold chain is commonplace, potentially resulting in the widespread delivery of vaccines whose potency has  been compromised. This article, published in Vaccine, reviews a study where vaccine vials were sent from a national vaccine store in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG), to peripheral locations in the health system. The results, which found that all of the vials were exposed to freezing temperatures at some time, highlight the need for technological solutions to avoid vaccine freezing, particularly in hot climate countries.

Author(s): Wirkas T, Toikilik S, Miller N, Morgan C, Clements CJ

Published: 2006

Resource types: Peer-reviewed journal

Diseases: Not disease/vaccine specific

Topics: Cold chain logistics and technologies

Regions: Oceania