A field evaluation led by PATH used qualitative and quantitative methods to assess freeze prevention of vaccines transported and stored in a recently developed, World Health Organization–prequalified freeze-preventive cold box (FPCB) as compared to currently used standard cold boxes (SCBs).
The study, published in Vaccine: X, assessed the FPCB’s practical use, health worker acceptance, health system fit (including cost considerations), and challenges faced by health workers in variable conditions and geographical settings.
Participants mostly found the FPCB to be safe and user friendly for vaccine transportation and short-term storage. Advantages of the FPCB as compared to the SCB include minimizing vaccine wastage, keeping freeze-sensitive vaccines safe (the average value of freeze-sensitive vaccines transported per shipment was US$1,704), and easing preparation through eliminating the need to condition ice packs. Procurement price ranges for FPCBs overlap those for SCBs.
Disadvantages of the FPCB include its greater size and weight, which require more personnel and vehicles during transportation. This suggests that lighter and smaller FPCBs would be more effective and acceptable for the Nepal immunization program and other, similar immunization programs conducted globally.
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