Cold chain keeps tabs on vaccine

By REBECCA WALSH

A specially adapted chilly bin will be used to keep the meningococcal vaccine at the correct temperature as it is taken around South Auckland schools.

A "data logger" attached to the chilly bin records the temperature inside and outside the bin. If the inside temperature strays outside the accepted range - 2C-8C - an alarm will go off.

Kidz First public health nurse co-ordinator Elizabeth Farrell said it was vital to maintain the temperature to ensure the vaccine remained effective.

Thousands of vials of vaccine would be transferred from a secret warehouse in Mangere to six public health offices in the Counties Manukau area. Public health nurses would then transfer the vaccine to the chilly bins for use in schools.

Barbara McArdle, who is in charge of the "cold chain", said the data logger, which is attached to a metal probe, would record the temperature every minute. At the end of the day the information it recorded would be downloaded on to a computer database.

"This is gold standard. We can, hand on heart, say to people we have done the best job of looking after this vaccine."

Ms McArdle said a porous matting would be placed between the vaccine and a coolant called "Envirofreeze", which was used to export crayfish and flowers. In the past polystyrene had been used but it was harder to keep cool.

Each chilly bin can carry about 530 to 540 vials of vaccine.