As immunization programs expand with the introduction of new vaccines and technologies, the role of the supply chain and cold chain to ensure quality vaccines are available when and where they are needed has become even more critical. Significant investments have been made over the past decade in new cold chain equipment (CCE), equipping immunization programs across the globe with optimized technology and better-performing equipment. Temperature monitoring technology has also improved with 30-Day Temperature Recorders (30DTR or commonly known as FridgeTag) and remote temperature monitoring devices (RTMD) becoming more widely available.
However, maintenance for CCE, has not received as much attention or investment to ensure the new equipment continues to perform well. Maintenance on CCE is critical to ensure the integrity of vaccines. As part of a global effort to elevate the importance of maintenance, JSI, CHAI, VillageReach and PATH are working collectively to improve use of temperature data as a tool in strengthening CEE maintenance systems. As part of this work, partners held a workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together more than 50 cold chain technicians, engineers, supply chain managers, and data analysts with hands-on experience working with CCE in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Additional partners that supported this effort included eHealth Africa, New Horizons, Berlinger, Nexleaf, and MOMENTUM-Routine Immunization; funding was provided by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, through the Strategic Funding Area for immunization supply chain.
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