Refresher Training for Frontline Health Workers in Expanded ... - RHO

Module 2: The Cold Chain
2.1 Lesson Plan
Time: 3.25 hours
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will become familiar with elements of the cold
chain. Participants will be able to:
• Identify key information on cold chain needed by health facility staff
• Understand good vaccine storage practices
• Practice kerosene refrigerator maintenance tasks
• Practice the shake test and recognize frozen vials
Preparation in advance by facilitator:
• Read Module 2.
• The facilitation of this session should first carefully read this detailed lesson plan
and understand the activities very well.
• Inform local health authorities about the need to make available a refrigerator and
cold chain materials at the training site. (See materials section below)
• Identify an experienced technician available to demonstrate the routine use and
maintenance of a kerosene refrigerator. Provide him with a copy of the hand-out
with text for slides 36-42 (slides not available).
• Freeze one vial of DPT overnight and label it “Do not use.” Select a vial of the
same manufacturer’s DPT and be sure by its rate of sedimentation that it indeed
has never frozen.
Homework assignment for the participants before the session:
If possible, participants should read the entire contents of Module 2 the evening
before.
Materials:
- Module 2
- Flipchart
- Commonly-used cold box and vaccine carrier (with foam pad) with correct
number and type of frozen icepacks and vaccine
- Running refrigerator (preferably a kerosene refrigerator) loaded with vaccines,
diluents, ice packs, water bottles, and thermometer and (any other temperature
monitoring devices in use)
- Spare parts for refrigerator (fuel tank, funnel with filter, baffle, lamp, wick, etc.)
- Temperature recording charts
- One vial of frozen DPT and one vial of DPT that is known for certain never to
have frozen
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