Power-free refrigerating technology brings new hopes for vaccination in Africa

Keeping cool for more than a month without any power source, a keg-like device makes it possible for many doctors in remote, power-lack areas to preserve vaccines that may save many lives, especially those of children. This equipment, developed by AUCMA, a Chinese refrigeration equipment supplier, with the name of Arktek was presented at a press conference held at Gates Foundation China Headquarters on May 21.

“Vaccination is considered one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 21st century. With the exception of safe water, no other modality, not even antibiotics, has had such a major effect on mortality reduction and population growth,” said Robert Scherpbier, UNICEF Chief of Health and Nutrition.

Yet, more than a million children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. This is due to the temperature-sensitive nature of the vaccines themselves, which spoil if they are not properly kept cool from manufacture all the way to point of use. Cold storage for vaccines is a particular challenge in hot, remote settings due to the lack of reliable power sources, parts for repairs, and expertise needed to support refrigeration equipment, according to Robert Scherpbier.

To help strengthen the refrigerated vaccine supply chain-the “cold chain”-in underserved regions, AUCMA, a Chinese refrigeration equipment supplier and Global Good, a research institution funded by Bill Gates, have partnered to provide a Passive Vaccine Storage Device (PVSD) that requires no power source and can keep vaccines cold for a month or more on a single set of frozen ice blocks.

Vaccines in the device can be retrieved as needed without jeopardizing the remaining vials, and the device can be easily serviced, restocked, and redeployed into the field. With a reasonable distribution programs, each device safely transports and stores the vaccine to meet the ongoing needs of the community of about 6,000 people, with typical 4% annual birth rate, according to Guo Zihong, the Technical Industrialization Director of Global Good.

The Arktek PVSD combines several technologies to maintain stable cold internal temperatures for vaccine protection. Its core vacuum-walled flask is integrated with overall design and materials that mitigate unwanted heat exchange. In rigorous testing, the device has been proven to keep vaccines within 0 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius range for over 35 days-even in hot climate conditions, says Guo Zihong.

Ice blocks and vaccines are loaded into the PVSD using the access opening on the top of the device. The ice blocks are stacked against the inner wall, and the vaccine carrier cup-stacks are then loaded in the center. Health workers can easily retrieve and replace the vaccine vial stacks several times per day as the Arktek continues to stay cold and protect the vaccines, says Guo Zihong.

For additional verifications that the vaccines remain protected, the temperature sensors and on-board electronics provide an alert if the interior space goes below the safe temperature range, added Li Wei, AUCMA chairman

The Arktek’s practical performance has been well-proven in studies done by Aucma and Global Good in Senegal and Ethiopia. Deployed in a variety of use cases and extreme environments, the device provided actual immunizations to children in populations served by the trial-site health posts. In addition to demonstrating reliable technical performance, the device received very positive responses from the health worker who used it daily. That highlighted its ease of use, time-saving benefits, excellent temperature stability, and minimal maintenance requirements.

“Previously, vaccinating daily was unthinkable in remote areas in African countries, but now the PVSD assists to vaccinate anytime as long as the children come and the monthly consumption of vaccine is at hand,” Said Ren Yizhao, the director of Integration Management of AUCMA.

“Seeing African people very grateful and excited for the great function of Arktek, I experienced satisfaction and pleasure that I haven’t felt before. Though this device will not make a lot of money, it really improves the effectiveness of vaccine management and brings AUCMA’s refrigeration technology to a new level,” said Li Wei.