In this Study Session, you have learned that:

• The Cold Chain is a system of storing and transporting vaccines at recommended temperatures from the point of manufacture to the point of use. The key elements or components of the cold chain are the following:
• Personnel: to manage vaccine storage and distribution.
• Equipment: to store and transport vaccine and to monitor temperature.
• Procedures: to ensure that vaccines are stored and transported at appropriate temperatures.
• It is essential to have a good vaccine management strategy because vaccines are expensive, and they can be easily damaged.

• There are three methods of estimating annual vaccine needs, based on:
  
• The size of the target population.
• Previous consumption levels.
• The size of immunisation sessions.
• Ensuring vaccines not to fall below and above the recommended minimum and maximum stock level is required.