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Cold chain equipment and cold chain equipment management :: RE: Temperature Monitoring Study To Commence in Vietnam and Uganda

ravi90 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:16:08 GMT

Author: ravi90
Subject: Temperature Monitoring Study To Commence in Vietnam and Uganda
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:16 am (GMT 0)

Hi jcheyne, I am interested in reading these articles. Have they been completed yet or have the results been published? Also do you know if these are special heat-stabilized vaccines, or are they the regular ones? Thanks! Ravi Click here (http://www.technet21.org/forumV3/viewtopic.php?t=1524) to view the full discussion in the Topic

Immunization delivery :: Improving the affordability of inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV) for use in low- and middle-income countries

moderator — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:48:32 GMT

Author: moderator
Subject: Improving the affordability of inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV) for use in low- and middle-income countries
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:48 pm (GMT 0)

Many thanks to Emily Griswold, PATH, for sharing this document with TechNet21 readers.

PATH and Working in Tandem, Ltd., recently released a report entitled “Improving the affordability of inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV) for use in low- and middle-income countries: an economic analysis of strategies to reduce the cost of routine IPV immunization.” The report, published on www.path.org (http://www.path.org/publications/details.php?i=1809) and www.polioeradication.org (http://www.polioeradication.org/content/publications/TS_IPV_econ_analysis.pdf), reviews the need for IPV following eradication of wild-type polioviruses and the subsequent cessation of use of oral poliovirus vaccines (OPV). As high cost and logistics are often cited as major barriers to the vaccine’s inclusion in routine immunization programs, the report explores various alternative strategies to make IPV more affordable and analyzes their incremental costs. The strategies reviewed include:

Intradermal delivery of reduced doses of IPV using different vaccine-delivery devices, compared with existing use of needles and syringes.
Intramuscular delivery of IPV combined with an adjuvant.
Reduction in the number of doses of IPV per immunization schedule.
Use of alternative formulations of IPV.

The report identifies the relative merits and drawbacks of each approach and suggests avenues for further research, some of which are already under way as part of PATH’s Vaccine Technologies Group’s research agenda.

The report was based on presentations from the eighth WHO/UNICEF Consultation with OPV/IPV Manufacturers and National Regulatory Authorities, October 2009. The cost modeling was conducted by PATH and Working in Tandem. The PATH report was highlighted in the Polio Pipeline (http://www.polioeradication.org/content/poliopipeline/PolioPipeline_06.pdf) alongside a new WHO position paper on the use of poliovirus vaccines in the pre-eradication era and a report, “The supply landscape and economics of IPV-containing combination vaccines,” prepared by the consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

For more information on the report, please contact Darin Zehrung (mailto:dzehrung@path.org).

For more information on the Polio Eradication Initiative, please go to www.polioeradication.org (http://www.polioeradication.org/).

Cold chain equipment and cold chain equipment management :: RE: Ice Pack Redesign

larry — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:20:08 GMT

Author: larry
Subject: Ice Pack Redesign
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:20 am (GMT 0)

We developed a simple method of freeze prevention. The method involves the placing of wet towels between the vaccines and the ice packs. The phase change "coolth" absorbing properties of the wet towel keep the ice packs from freezing the vaccines. Freezing can also be prevented by placing insulation between the ice packs and the vaccines. However, with this method there is poor thermal coupling between the ice packs and the stored vaccines, which results in the vaccines warming up more rapidly when the ice packs are partially melted. The wet towel method will keep the vaccines colder longer. We carried out some tests to measure the effectiveness of the wet towel method and found it quite effective. The tests consisted of placing -15C ice packs in an insulated envelope. The ice pack was separated from a temperature probe by a wet towel and the temperature of the probe was monitored. The probe stayed above freezing.

Feel free to contact us if you need additional information. Larry Schlussler, PhD Sun Frost.

Click here (http://www.technet21.org/forumV3/viewtopic.php?t=1745) to view the full discussion on the topic.

Injection technology, injection safety and waste management :: Syringe Waste Encapsulation

larry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:07:49 GMT

Author: larry
Subject: Syringe Waste Encapsulation
Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2010 11:07 pm (GMT 0)

As a result of our posting on TechNet21, we were made aware of a technique for melting syringes and suspending the needles in the innards of a plastic block formed by the melting plastic syringes. This technique eliminates exposed needles and reduces the volume of the waste by 70%. The technique is described in the article "Oven melting encapsulization of hypodermic needles by syringes" by T. Fortner, H. Wynn, H. Heffner and J. Colton, Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology, 2009. The Sun Frost "Tubular Oven" previously described could be used to form these sterilized blocks. This technique would be more environmental sound then incineration.

Please let us know if you can see applications for this technique.

Click here (http://www.technet21.org/forumV3/viewforum.php?f=1) to view the full discussion in the Forum

Cold chain equipment and cold chain equipment management :: RE: Is it reasonable to store unreconstituted BCG and measles vaccines at freezing temperatures?

prabirkc — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:15:25 GMT

Author: prabirkc
Subject: Is it reasonable to store unreconstituted BCG and measles vaccines at freezing temperatures?
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:15 am (GMT 0)

In my humble opinion Michel and Robert have asked a useful question. Very often polio or other campaigns displace Measles and Bcg in subdistrict stores. The unwritten convention is to move them to the freezer. Especially since the vials are not as breakable as the old ampoules used earlier Usually field workers keep the diluents outside till they pack the carrier. The overnight in the ILR habit has not caught on yet. Prabir

Cold chain equipment and cold chain equipment management :: Is it reasonable to store unreconstituted BCG and measles vaccines at freezing temperatures?

moderator — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:15:00 GMT

Author: moderator
Subject: Is it reasonable to store unreconstituted BCG and measles vaccines at freezing temperatures?
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:15 am (GMT 0)

We have an observation and a few related questions for WHO and field staff: With the arrival of newer vaccines that must be refrigerated at positive temperatures, many countries will be struggling to adjust their usual practices to accommodate the bulkier vaccines. If there is insufficient space in the positive temperature cold room(s) at national or regional level, staff will be tempted to shift the unreconstituted BCG or measles vaccine to the freezer to make room in the refrigerated cold room for vaccines bulkier such as penta and pneumo, which truly must not be frozen.

I realize that WHO no longer recommends that freeze-dried vaccines be stored at -20C degrees. While storing them at minus 20C degrees is not harmful, it is considered *unnecessary*. Instead, these vaccines are recommended for positive-temperature refrigerated storage at all le! vels. Yet, I know that unreconstituted BCG and measles vaccines can be stored at freezing temperatures without damage to the vaccine. Until additional refrigerated space can be located for safe storage at positive temperatures, does WHO consider it reasonable to store unreconstituted BCG and measles at freezing temperatures? If so, at which levels of the cold chain? What about the diluents for these vaccines? Is there any risk, when diluent is packaged in the same primary container as the vaccine, that freezing would break the glass amp or vial in which the diluent is packaged? Would the risk depend on the manufacturer's specific product?"

Robert Steinglass and Michel Othepa

Click here (http://www.technet21.org/forumV3/viewforum.php?f=1) to view the full discussion in the Fo! rum

General Discussion :: Solar sterilizer

larry — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:24:31 GMT

Author: larry
Subject: Solar sterilizer
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:24 am (GMT 0)

Sun Frost recently developed a solar oven capable of air sterilizing medical equipment. For air sterilizing temperature of 190C must be achieved for 6 minutes. The heart of the sterilizer is an evacuated tube solar collector. The interior of the oven is cylindrical in shape and is 11.5cm in diameter and 91cm long. The tube is essentially a Thermos bottle. The interior can be 190C and the exterior will be at room temperature. Because heat losses are so small sterilizing temperatures can be achieved even in marginal solar conditions. The oven walls are glass. We are currently looking for applications for this technology. If you have suggestions please let us know.

Cold chain equipment and cold chain equipment management :: Ice Pack Redesign

munjal — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:37:25 GMT

Author: munjal
Subject: Ice Pack Redesign
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:37 am (GMT 0)

Dear Sir,

We are one of the companies in INDIA making WHO approved cold Chain equipment.
We have a clear policy " Minimum order quantity in 1 nos of any Product"
If you require Ice packs and Vaccine Carriers please do let us know and we would be able supply you your required quantity.
Please go through our website www.blowkings.co.in (http://www.blowkings.co.in) and if any product interest you please let me know.

Regards

Munjal Kothari

________________________________________________________

Blowkings 53-C Mittal Court ,Nariman Point ,Mumbai 400021 INDIA
Tel:+91-(0)22-22840120 (Tel:+91-(0)22-22840120), Fax:+91-(0)22-22831412
Email:blowkings@vsnl.com
(Panna Group of Companies) Established since 1971
Passive Cold Chain system Specialist
________________________________________________________

Cold chain equipment and cold chain equipment management :: RE: Ice Pack Redesign

mjj — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:26:43 GMT

Author: mjj
Subject: Ice Pack Redesign
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:26 am (GMT 0)

I am part of a Dartmouth engineering group working on redesigning ice packs for small vaccine carriers. Our intention is to eliminate the need for ice pack defrosting, and ensure vaccines are never subjected to freezing temperatures. We plan to achieve this through a two chambered ice pack design. One chamber would contain ice, while the other would be filled with tap water.
Our research indicates that nobody has investigated such a design, and that cold water packs are the only alternative to ice packs that have been researched. Is anyone familiar with other ice pack designs? Any information would be helpful.
Furthermore, we are having difficulty sourcing vaccine carriers and ice packs. These products appear to be produced in India, and only sold in bulk. If anyone knows of where to source vaccine carrier equipment within the U.S., that would be a huge help.
Thank you!
Merritt Jenkins

Announcements :: UNICEF vacancy: Technical officer for cold chain and waste management

moderator — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:47:44 GMT

Author: moderator
Subject: UNICEF vacancy: Technical officer for cold chain and waste management
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:47 am (GMT 0)

Thank you Lilia Winkel-Petersen for sharing this with TechNet21 readers.

UNICEF invites applications for the post of Technical Specialist. The incumbent would need to provide advice on technical issues related to the supply of cold chain and waste management products to Procurement Services customers. The Technical Officer will support UNICEF’s efforts to strengthen country capacity in the area of cold chain and waste management products and supplies. Brief job description: Strengthens the technical capacity of UNICEF Country Offices to respond to external technical enquiries for cold chain and waste management supplies and infrastructure. On request, helps with the implementation of a regular quality monitoring system for a selected range of cold chain products, including field performance evaluation. Monitors that technical specifications are updated and maintained for cold chain and waste management. When required, assists with technical adjudication of RFQ/ITB/RFPs on cold chain and waste management products. Prepares analyses of UNICEF cold chain and waste management supply, background information, recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products, resulting in more appropriate equipment, better delivery and fit for purpose. Maintains continued technical support to country offices when the Technical Specialist is on field support missions. Based on the review of technical and commercial aspects provided by country offices prepare summaries for the Technical Specialist to expedite the process for Local Procurement Authorisations. The application deadline is: 9 August 2010. The location is not mentioned, except that the vacancy has arisen at the Health Technology Centre. The attached documents has further details. Click here (http://www.technet21.org/forumV3/viewforum.php?f=1) to view the full discussion in the Forum