Interactive database is designed for immunization program managers and public health officers

The Cold Chain Equipment Manager (CCEM) Tool is a Microsoft Access program that helps cold chain managers and public health officers make strategic decisions about managing their cold chain equipment.

All immunization programs depend on reliable and sufficient refrigeration equipment to cool vaccines during transport and storage. Introduction of new vaccines, changes in transport systems, alterations to the national vaccine schedule, and other changes in immunization service delivery must be assessed by cold chain managers to guarantee that refrigeration equipment is sufficient for safe vaccine delivery. Routine replacement of old cold chain equipment and purchase of new equipment in order to expand immunization services must be budgeted in multiyear plans to ensure efficient and reliable cold chain systems.

The CCEM Tool and its associated documentation include a user manual, a set of data collection questionnaires, a surveyor’s guide to these questionnaires, and an equipment identification guide. CCEM 1.0 practice files allow users to practice with the CCEM 1.0 software using practice data and professionally designed criteria in order to learn how the CCEM tool will facilitate cold chain equipment management and planning.

CCEM Version 2.0 is currently under development. Please check back in October 2009 for a new and improved version of the tool.

The CCEM Tool is a collaborative effort among UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and PATH. The development of the tool and its associated documentation was made possible in part by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of the HealthTech Cooperative Agreement #GPH-A-00-01-00005-00, managed by PATH.