Abstract

ORTEGA MOLINA, Paloma et al. Cold chain maintenance in vaccines: a systematic review. Gac Sanit [online]. 2007, vol.21, n.4, pp.343-348. ISSN 0213-9111.

Objetive: Systematic immunization programmes mostly depend on the correct maintenance and manipulation of the vaccines to be used, i.e. perfect maintenance of the cold chain. Therefore, we decided to carry out a systematic review of the literature on the cold chain and vaccines, to identify daily practices in vaccine sites. Methods: A literature search was performed in the main medical databases for documents published between 1990 and 2005, including those performed by means of a survey and/or inspection of vaccine sites that provided the following data: a designated health officer, availability of a thermometer with maximums and minimums, refrigerator temperature at the time of the visit, and temperature control and registration. For all the variables, the mean prevalence was calculated with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Three hundred seventy-seven articles were found; 31 were initially selected and 13 were finally included. In 72.21% of the vaccine points, there was an officer responsible for the vaccines, but only 61.43% knew the optimal temperature range. Fifty-five percent of these points had a thermometer with maximums and minimums and only 26.88% carried out temperature controls and registrations at least once per day. Conclusion: Important shortfalls were detected in cold chain maintenance in all selected articles, jeopardizing the effectiveness and efficiency of immunization programs.

Keywords : Cold chain; Systematic review; Knowledge; Vaccine stability.

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