Image Based Question – 67007

Number of vaccine vials that should be kept in the Equipment as shown in the image:

A. 1-2

B. 2-4

C. 6-8

D. 16-20

Show Answer

Correct Answer » D Explanation

Ans:D. 16-20.

The Equipment shown in the image is Vaccine Carrier.

Cold Chain

• The ‘Cold chain’ is a system of storing and transporting the vaccines at recommended temperatures from the point of manufacture to the point of use.

• ‘Reverse cold chain’, which is a system of storing and transporting samples at recommended temperatures from the point of collection to the laboratory.

Cold Chain Equipment:

There are equipments of different capacity for storage of vaccines at different levels as under:

• Walk-in-Freezers:

These are used for bulk storage of OPV, measles vaccines and also to prepare frozen ice-packs at state stores. They maintain a temperature around minus 20°C.

• Walk-in-Coolers:

These are used for bulk storage of vaccines at State and Regional stores. They maintain a temperature of +2°C to +8°C.

• Deep Freezers:

Deep freezers supplied under immunization programme have a top opening lid. The cabinet temperature is maintained between -18° to -20°C. This is used for storing of OPV and measles vaccine and also for freezing ice packs.These are available in two models, having a capacity of 300 litres (used at district headquarters) and 140 litres (used at PHC headquarters).

Vaccine Transportation Equipment

• Cold boxes

Cold boxes are mainly used for transportation of large quantities of vaccines. They can also be used to store vaccines for transfer up to five days. These are of two sizes 5 litres and 20 litres with requisite number of ice packs. The 5 litre cold box can transport about 1500 doses of vaccines; the 20 litre boxes have enough space to transport about 6000 doses of vaccines.

• Vaccine Carriers

Vaccine carriers are used for carrying small quantities of vaccines (16-20 vials) to the sub-centers or villages by health workers.
Fully frozen ice packs are used to keep vaccines cold in the carrier. The vials of DPT, DT and TT vaccines should not be placed in direct contact with the frozen packs.Vaccines can be kept in the carrier for 48 hrs.