Small Fixes, Big Impact: Transforming Cold Chain Systems
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Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in public health. Vital to their effectiveness is the cold chain, which is the system for keeping vaccines within a safe temperature range from the manufacturer right to the moment they are injected.
Building a robust cold chain can seem like a monumental task, but it doesn’t always require a complete system overhaul. While large-scale investments are sometimes necessary, small changes can have a huge impact. For example, a simple policy change—like covering travel costs for maintenance technicians—can mean the difference between a refrigerator being repaired in a day versus a week, saving hundreds of vaccines from spoiling. These small actions compound over time, leading to more resilient and effective cold chains.
It’s time we approach cold chain strengthening differently,” says Wendy Prosser, a senior technical officer for immunization supply chain at JSI. “We need to elevate vaccine maintenance through smart, creative, and strategic solutions that focus on impact.”
Our programs are doing just that—identifying opportunities where small actions can make a big difference.
- In Tanzania, remote temperature monitoring spots malfunctions early and prevents product waste.
- In Ethiopia, a virtual community-of-practice helps technicians share tips and resolve problems quickly.
- In Kenya, a human centered design workshop translates real-world experiences into national guidelines.
Learn more in the following video about how the everyday wins, both big and small, protect children and communities.