Availability and quality of vaccine cold chain equipment at healthcare facilities in Mtwara region, Tanzania: evidence from routine assessment of vaccine cold chain equipment
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-04-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Health Research
Abstract
The quality of vaccines is heavily dependent on maintaining proper cold chain equipment (CCE) throughout the supply chain. However, Tanzania faces significant challenges in this area. According to the Effective Vaccine Management Assessment (EVMA) of 2021, the country score was 73%, falling short of the 80% benchmark. The ongoing measles outbreak in several districts may be linked to the delivery of low-quality vaccines due to inadequate storage conditions. This study aimed to assess the availability and quality of CCE at healthcare facilities in the Mtwara region and identify areas for improvement. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, utilizing an updated vaccine CCE inventory from 263 healthcare facilities (HFs) across nine councils in the Mtwara region. The updated inventory was compiled into a single Microsoft Excel dataset, which was then analyzed to determine the frequency and functionality of CCE. The findings were presented in tables for comparative analysis. Results: Routine immunization services were available at 263 out of 301 healthcare facilities (87.4%), with 234 (89%) of these being public facilities. Among them, 218 (82.9%) were dispensaries, and 209 (79.5%) were in rural areas. A total of 252 (95.8%) healthcare facilities had functional refrigerators, 115 (43.7%) of which were RCW 50EG models. Although all refrigerators met the World Health Organization's pre-qualification standards, 192 (76%) exhibited functional deficiencies. Additionally, 115 (43.7%) had been in use for over ten years, and 48 (19%) lacked temperature monitoring devices. While vaccine carriers were available, they showed deficiencies that made them unsuitable for effective vaccine storage. Conclusion: Most cold chain equipment (CCE) in the Mtwara region was in sub-optimal condition, potentially compromising vaccine quality and hindering immunization services. This could result in canceling immunization sessions, leading to low vaccination coverage and a failure to protect recipients. Urgent action is needed to repair or replace non-functional, outdated, and inefficient CCE. In addition,
regular refresher training for healthcare providers on assessing and maintaining vaccine CCE is recommended, as well as the procurement of refrigerator models that are suitable for local conditions in alignment with manufacturer guidelines. Keywords: routine immunization, healthcare facility, cold chain equipment, vaccine refrigerator, vaccine quality, equipment inventory
Description
Keywords
Routine immunization, Healthcare facility, Cold chain equipment
Citation
Kamala, S.R., Nyembea, H., Kalabamu, F.S., Ngonzi, A.J., Manzi, F., Nestory, B. and Tinuga, F., 2025. Availability and quality of vaccine cold chain equipment at healthcare facilities in Mtwara region, Tanzania: evidence from routine assessment of vaccine cold chain equipment. Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 26(3), p.2066.