Power cuts and EPI vaccine storage.

OBJECTIVE

To study the integrity of EPI vaccine storage during interruptions to the power supply.

SETTING

Health centres in Colombo District.

METHOD

An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on staff compliance with regulations of the expanded program of immunisation (EPI) and alternative facilities available for refrigeration during power failure. The refrigerator and storage conditions were inspected. The stored vaccines were tagged with thermosensitive cold chain monitors, which were read on revisiting the clinic 14 days later. During the study period, power cuts of 2 hours' duration were in force daily. A control study was carried out when there was no interruption to power supply.

RESULTS

Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) and measles vaccines had been exposed to temperatures outside the prescribed range during power cuts. Oral polio vaccine had adequate storage with power cuts of 2 hours' duration.

CONCLUSION

Alternative facilities for vaccine storage during power cuts were not available and the potency of DPT and measles vaccines were compromised with interruptions to power of 2 hours' duration or more.