Real-time Last Mile Vaccine Cold Chain Monitoring to Increase Quality Vaccines in Remote Communities
THE CHALLENGE
More than $34.1 billion in annual vaccine distributions globally are wasted due to temperature fluctuations, and shipment and logistics issues. Temperature monitoring of cold chain equipment and vaccine vial monitors provides a basis to flag heat- and freeze-damaged vaccines. Yet correct usage requires health workers on the frontlines to follow laborious packing, storing, and transportation instructions that require tedious, manual calculations, and temperature recordings. This model is ill-suited for health workers in conflicts such as Syria due to physical insecurity, unsafe humanitarian corridors, and damaged cold chain infrastructure.
THE SOLUTION
To create a vaccine cold chain monitoring system better adapted to the Syrian context, Hala Systems Inc. designed an affordable solution that automates the laborious and manual data tracking methods used in cold chain monitoring by replacing them with a single wireless sensor paired with mobile and web applications. Data collected instantly warns field teams of a spoiled shipment and provides high-level insight into the health of cold chain operations. The web interface provides a macro view of the health of the cold chain and auto-reports problems with individual shipments. Under CHIC funding, a partnership was formed with the Syria Immunization Group (SIG) and Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HIHFAD) to carry out a baseline system mapping of their cold chain infrastructure. A prototype of the device was created that transmitted temperatures and other metadata through Bluetooth connection and had custom custom-designed electronic circuit board and innovative dual response technology. A prototype of the gateway device that connects to all the temperature sensing devices and transfers the data to Hala’s cloud servers was also created and tested for use and efficacy. By the end of the funding period, Hala initiated arrangements for 20 sensors and one Gateway device to be transported to Turkey and handed over to SIG and HIHFAD for testing using investor funding. Additionally, it began pursuing commercialization of the cold chain innovation, which would ultimately enable Hala to sustain long-term funding, increase impact, and scale the innovation.
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