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Vaccines - and the produce aisle?
Recognizing that supply chains are not unique to immunization, we are looking for solutions across the map. Fruits and vegetables, like vaccines, must be transported at specific temperatures to prevent spoiling. Can the technologies of those well-established supply chains work for vaccine delivery as well?
One possible solution: the passively cooled carts used to deliver produce to European supermarkets could be used to move vaccines from one storage location to another in developing countries. The carts maintain consistent temperatures, are capable of carrying a significantly higher volume than traditional vaccine cold boxes, and could save considerable expense in both the short and the long term.
Because high energy costs and unreliable power are major issues in developing countries, we are also exploring innovation in refrigeration technologies. Battery-free solar refrigerators, for example, could lead to major breakthroughs in the reliability and efficiency of refrigeration systems at health centers and clinics.