CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The cold chain is a science, a technology and a process. It is a science since it requires the understanding of the chemical and biological processes linked with perishability. It is a technology since it relies on physical means to insure appropriate temperature conditions along the supply chain. It is a process since a series of tasks must be performed to manufacture, prepare, store, transport and monitor temperature sensitive products. From a geographical perspective, the cold chain has global, regional and local impacts respectively. Global, Specialization enable the distribution of vaccines and other pharmaceutical or biological temperature sensitive products to large facilities. Agricultural functions permitting the transport of temperature sensitive food products to distant markets. Regional. Can support the specialization of production and economies of scale in distribution. This could involve large cold storage facilities servicing regional grocery markets or specialized laboratories exchanging temperature sensitive components. Local Timely distribution to the final consumer like vaccine to beneficiaries in an immunization session. The cold chain involves the transportation of temperature sensitive products along a supply chain through thermal and refrigerated packaging methods and the logistical planning to protect the integrity of these shipments. (Cyril Chaput PhD 2000) There are several means in which cold chain products can be transported, including refrigerated trucks and railcars, refrigerated cargo ships as well as by air cargo.
“Cold chain” in health care service refers to the process to maintain optimum recommended temperature from the manufacturer, during transportation, storage, and handling of vaccines, starting at the manufacturing and ending with the administration of the vaccine to the client. It is used to help extend and ensure the shelf life of products. The optimum temperature for refrigerated vaccines is between +2°C and +8°C. In addition, protection from light is a necessary condition for some vaccines.
Cold chain and logistics refer to the system of people, policies, procedures, vehicles, fuel, equipment, and technologies that work together to make sure that vaccines given to people are safe and effective. Because most vaccines have specific temperature requirements, an effective cold chain and logistics management system prevents both excessive heat and cold from damaging the vaccines from the time of manufacturing until they are used (WHO Feb.2008).
A decade ago, the vaccines used in most developing countries cost only about one us dollar per child. Today with the addition of combination vaccines against hepatitis b and hemophilia’s influenza type b, and other newly introduced vaccines and increase in the rate per dollar,it now cost as fifteen dollars or more per a fully immunized child (UNICEF 2013).