Background: Cold chain maintenance is an essential activity to maintain
the potency of vaccines and to prevent adverse events following
immunization. One baseline study highlighted the unsatisfactory cold
chain status in city of Kolkata in India. Objectives: To assess the
changes which occurred in the cold chain status after the intervention
undertaken to improve the status and also to assess the awareness of
the cold chain handlers regarding cold chain maintenance. Methods:
Intervention consisted of reorganization of cold chain points and
training of health manpower in Kolkata Municipal area regarding
immunization and cold chain following the guidelines as laid by the
government of India. Reevaluation of cold chain status was done at 20
institutions selected by stratified systematic random sampling after
the intervention. The results were compared with baseline survey.
Results: Significant improvement had been observed in correct placing
of cold chain equipment, maintenance of stock security, orderly placing
of ice packs, diluents and vaccines inside the equipment, temperature
recording and maintenance. But awareness and skill of cold chain
handlers regarding basics of cold chain maintenance was not
satisfactory. Conclusions: The success of intervention included
significant improvement of cold chain status including creation of a
designated cold chain handler. The gaps lay in non-availability of
non-electrical cold chain equipment and separate cold chain room, which
policy makers should stress. Cold chain handlers need reorientation
training regarding heat and cold sensitive vaccines, preventive
maintenance and correct contingency plan