Keeping Vaccines "Cold On The Road"
With immunisation programs imminent, here are some pointers on how to keep your vaccines with the correct temperature control and in the cold chain when out of the surgery.
/Pharmaceutical News Articles/ - WARMINSTER, UK, July 11, 2008 - So you have an inoculation program to carry out and the vaccines have to be kept within a 2șC and 8șC temperature range. The weather is unpredictable and the nurses may be out in the car for many hours. How are you going to make sure the vaccines are kept within the limits when away from the fridge?
In this article, we consider a range of thermal cool bags and wallets available, specifically designed and manufactured for the pharmaceutical cold chain industry. These specialist thermal bags are not to be confused with low cost cool bags available from supermarkets. The Polartherm bags, specifically distributed through specialist distributors like Willaims Medical or Porter Nash are made using several layers of specialist thermal fabrics, put together in a particular way to ensure very high levels of thermal capability and integrity. They are also designed to be extremely durable and last many years in service.
In their standard form, Polar bags and vaccine wallets have been independently validated and recorded an average temperature change of between 1.0 and 0.5 șC per hour (depending on where the product lay in the bag).
By using gel packs, the change of temperature can be delayed considerably. This is particularly useful when nurses have to open and close the bags to remove the vaccines. This obviously has an effect on temperature retention and if this is likely, it's advisable to have a gel pack sitting on top of the contents of the bag so that there is minimal disruption of temperature.
The lower the temperature you place the vaccines into the bags the longer they will keep below 8 șC. If you are in the luxury position of being able to place the cool bags in a chiller (or at least a cold area) you will also help to maintain the temperature for longer periods.
During transit in vehicles, give the bags the best chance of working effectively for you by keeping them out of direct or indirect sunlight. If it's possible to keep the bags in a boot, or under a cover in the coolest part of the car this will help retain the temperature for longer. If you have to keep the bags in the passenger compartment, try to place them in the rear foot well under cover.
During vaccinations, try to reduce the time that the bag is open for a short a duration as possible. Delay opening the bag till you really have to, then remove the vaccines you require quickly, closing and zipping the bag as soon as possible, trying not to disrupt the rest of the contents and allowing warm air to fall inside the bag.
If there are different vaccines to be given at different durations, try to plan ahead when packing the bags so that the vaccines you require first are at the top.
In summary, top tips for extending the correct temperature:
1. Plan the packing of vaccines so that the ones to be used first are placed at the top
2. Utilise gel packs, placing a number on the top of any product to be kept cold
3. If possible, keep the cool bag in a cold place before using (a fridge if possible)
4. Close the zip of the cold bag as soon as possible after filling
5. Carry the cool bag in the coolest place possible in the vehicle
6. Minimise the time that the bag is open when removing vaccines, zip the bag up again as soon as possible
Further Related Resources:
Press Release Contact Information:
Peter Lockett
Polar Thermal Products Ltd
Sales & Marketing Manager
Crusader Business Park
Warminster, Wiltshire
UK BA12 8SP
Voice: 0044 1985 214111
Fax: 0044 1985 214175
Website: Visit Our Website
