Storage of Vaccines in ILR
Mechanism and features
- Top-opening or front-opening equipment design.
- Features internal lining of water containers or ice packs fitted around walls.
- Water inside containers freezes during active electrical operation.
- Maintains internal safe temperature between +2°C and +8°C.
- Retains safe temperature with minimal 8-hour continuous electricity supply per 24-hour period.
- Suitable for geographical areas experiencing irregular power supply.
- Offers holdover time of 18 hours at 43°C ambient temperature.
- Offers holdover time of 22 hours at 32°C ambient temperature.
- Facilitates storage of 3-month vaccine stock at district or primary health centers.
General storage principles
- Keep vaccines inside provided baskets.
- Prevent direct contact of vaccine vials with internal walls and bottom.
- Maintain adequate spacing between containers to ensure free air circulation.
- Bottom part represents the coldest section, contrary to domestic refrigerators.
Zone-wise placement of vaccines
- Heat-sensitive vaccines require storage in the coldest bottom compartment.
- Freeze-sensitive vaccines require storage in middle and upper compartments.
| Compartment level | Vaccine characteristics | Specific vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom shelf | Highly heat-sensitive | Measles, MR, MMR, BCG, OPV, yellow fever, live Japanese encephalitis, varicella, rotavirus, live-attenuated hepatitis A. |
| Middle and upper shelves | Freeze-sensitive and heat-resistant | Pertussis-containing combinations (DPT, DTwP, DTaP), inactivated hepatitis A, typhoid conjugate, pneumococcal conjugate, meningococcal, inactivated influenza, HPV, rabies, inactivated Japanese encephalitis, TT, DT, Hepatitis B. |
Diluent management
- Maintain diluents at recommended +2°C to +8°C temperature.
- Place diluents alongside matching freeze-dried vaccines on appropriate shelves.
- Keep diluents on bottom shelf if upper space lacks, ensuring clear identification labels.
- Store diluents at room temperature if space constraints exist, shifting to refrigerator 24 hours prior to use.
Temperature monitoring
- Record internal temperatures twice daily, specifically at 10 am and 4 pm.
- Document temperature readings systematically in dedicated logbooks.
- Utilize digital minimum/maximum thermometers equipped with probes.
- Employ electronic data loggers for continuous temperature mapping.
- Position temperature probes centrally within the storage compartment.