Background: Immunization is one of the most important among activity in the Public Health Services to prevent the vaccine preventable diseases. The vaccines are highly heat or cold sensitive and vaccine potency once lost cannot be restored. A well-managed cold chain will increase the efficiency of immunization and reduce vaccine wastage. An assessment of cold chain system for vaccine storage was done in selected PHCs of Aurangabad districts.
Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the cold chain practices, with particular reference to assessing the availability of cold chain equipment, vaccine storage practices, monitoring of cold chain in primary health centres (PHCs) of Aurangabad district.
Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at selected the cold chain points in 15 PHCs of Aurangabad district during Aug to Oct 2018. A predesigned, pretested checklist was used by the trained investigators during their visits. The information was evaluated on the basis of important components related to the cold chain points.
Results: All the PHCs had a dedicated vaccine storage room with sufficient number of cold chain equipment. Vaccine storage practice and availability of complete RI micro-plan were found satisfactory at all 15 (100%) PHCs. Maintenance of cold chain equipments were satisfactory at 11 (73.3%) PHCs. But, temperature monitoring. (9) (60%) by Medical Officer and waste disposal related to routine immunization 10 (66.6%) at PHCs were disappointing.
Conclusion: The primary health centers had average performance related to the cold chain system, which is a matter of concern warranting for the cold chain monitoring. We recommend supportive supervision as the key measures in improvement of cold chain system.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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