COLD CHAIN FOR VACCINES

Abstract Vaccines are biological substances that may lose their effectiveness quickly if they become too hot or too cold at any time, especially during transport and storage. The efficacy of vaccines depends on maintaining the cold-chain – that is, a prescribed temperature range during distribution from manufacturer to the point of use. The temperature during transport and storage should be kept at 2-8 degrees centigrade for all vaccines. Inadequate temperature control during storage and transport of vaccines can reduce their efficacy, and result in failure to produce satisfactory levels of immunity. The effect of adverse temperature on vaccines is cumulative and breaks in the cold-chain, which may occur during transportation, will render vaccines subsequently stored in the community more susceptible to loss of potency. Current review paper focuses on the Immunisation and cold chain system in India. Cold chain for vaccines includes different equipment viz (WIC), (WIF), (DF), (ILR), Refrigerated trucks and their management with respect to universal Immunisation Programs. Key words: vaccines, Immunisation, storage Temprature