India's Cold Chain for Universal Immunization Program (UIP)

India has a 4 tier vaccine store network. The vaccine typically arrives at the primary stores calledGovernment Medical Store Depots (GMSDs) where stock is maintain for maximum of3 months. There are 4 GMSDs in the country (Karnal, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata).Vaccines then are transported to state vaccine stores and through divisional and districtvaccine store it reaches the last storage point of CHC or PHC. 

The logistics has been managed through the cycle of storing and transporting vaccinethrough pre-defined network. The vaccine typically arrives at the primary stores (GMSDs) where stock is maintain for maximum of 3 months. There are 4 GMSDs in the country (Karnal, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata).Vaccines then are transported to state vaccine stores and through divisional and district vaccine store it reaches the last storage point of CHC or PHC. The following figure shows the flow of vaccine through the network with approximate duration of storage.


This cold chain comprises of a total of 66,765 operational refrigeration units (ice lined refrigerators and deep freezers) and 199 walk in cold rooms and freezer rooms. Of these, 29,961 were CFC Walk in Cooler (WIC)/Walk in Freezer (WIF)/deep freezers/ice lined refrigerators.These equipments were expected to be replaced by the end of 2010 with CFC-Free equipments. Most of the states have been able to replace some proportionof these CFC equipments over last few years. In addition to the replacement of CFC equipments, other factors like old worn out non-CFC equipments (more than 10 years)and existing shortage of cold storage space were also considered to arrive at the net requirement of cold chain equipments. As per this calculation, there was a need of 160WIC, 49 WIF, 25,196 ILR (Ice Lined Refrigerators)  and 29,678 DF (Deep Freezer) of varying sizes/capacity to address this alarming cold chain gap in Universal Immunization Program (UIP). Power back-up generator sets, auto start electric panels and voltage stabilizers etc. were additional critical components that should be procured simultaneously to support cold chain capacity. Provision has also been made for refrigerated vaccine vans that are vital link to prevent break in cold chain while transporting large quantities of vaccines from national or state stores. 

Source: National Cold Chain Assessment INDIA, July 2008, UNICEF