The profile of cold chain management of vaccines in a primary healthcare centre in Kupang, Indonesia

Background: Vaccine quality is strongly influenced by the cold chain application in vaccine storage and distribution at the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC). Objective: This study aimed to describe cold chain management in storing and distributing vaccines at the Primary Healthcare Centre in the Kupang City area. Method: This study was a cross-sectional study. The data collection instrument used was a checklist sheet containing 27 vaccine storage parameters and eight vaccine distribution parameters. The research looked at vaccine storage and distribution. The sample used the entire population, which included 11 Primary Healthcare Centres in the City of Kupang. Result: It was found that 19 vaccine storage criteria had been implemented in all Primary Healthcare Centres. Eight storage criteria had not been implemented in all Primary Healthcare Centres. Furthermore, in the distribution practice category of eight criteria, five of them had been implemented by all centres, while three criteria had not been met. Practices that need to be improved were thermometer calibration, availability of storage and distribution Standard operating procedures (SOPs), validation of delivery equipment, and availability of storage room air circulation equipment. Conclusion: The implementation of cold chain in vaccine storage and distribution practices in 11 sub-district healthcare centres was not optimal, therefore there is a need for improvement.