From Cold Chain to Care: Delivering Vaccines Safely to Every Mother and Child
Through a strong partnership between the Government of Gujarat, the Surat Municipal Corporation, and UNICEF, vaccine supply links from central stores to communities are being reinforced, ensuring timely access to high-quality vaccines
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GANDHINAGAR, India - At the Regional Vaccine Store in Gandhinagar, the capital of the western Indian state of Gujarat, the day begins before the city stirs awake. A vaccine truck from the manufacturer has just arrived with a load of vaccines. Inside the store, Mansuri, Pharmacist and Cold Chain Handler, checks each delivery box to ensure the Vaccine Vial Monitor status and expiry dates are usable and nothing has been compromised. The team moves quickly, logging stock into the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) system, organizing cold boxes, and preparing for the next round of dispatches.
“Every month, we calculate the requirements of all districts/corporations under our jurisdiction,” says Mansuri.
“Vaccines are stored in Walk-in Coolers, Walk-in Freezers, Ice-Lined Refrigerators and Deep Freezers at the right temperature. Syringes and diluents go into dry storage. Every movement is recorded digitally and physically.
“There is a surge in demand during special vaccination campaigns or when new vaccines are introduced, but because we follow protocols strictly, we’re able to handle the load without delays. Our job is to ensure the supply chain never stops.”
Delivering in Urban Centers
In cities like Surat, the Corporation Vaccine Store ensures regular supply to cold chain points. For Dr Bhavesh Patel, Medical Officer at the Vaccine Branch of Surat Municipal Corporation, maintaining urban coverage means knowing the terrain and careful planning.
“We manage vaccine and cold chain logistics management systems very efficiently to ensure the quality of every dose of vaccine which we administer,” explains Dr Bhavesh. “Our delivery schedules are fixed, but we also respond quickly when additional stock is needed. Everything is tracked and cross-verified manually as well maintaining robust recording and reporting systems and vaccine stocks.”
“What’s changed in the last few years is that people have more trust in government services, especially after the COVID -19 pandemic response. They know the vaccines are safe, stored properly, and administered free of cost.”
“New vaccines such as the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine that protects against pneumonia, which are expensive in private clinics, are now available through the Universal Immunization Programme. This makes a huge difference for families,” says Dr Bhavesh.
Cold Rooms, Care, and Coordination: The System Behind the Mission
Vaccines are carried from main storage centers to local clinics through a planned delivery system called the Alternate Vaccine Delivery System (AVDS). These plans focus on reaching communities that need them most, such as migrant families and underserved neighbourhoods. Trained staff—Cold Chain Technicians (CCTs) and Vaccine Cold Chain Handlers (VCCHs)—make sure the cooling equipment works properly and that records are kept up to date.
Thanks to the partnership between the Government of Gujarat, Surat Municipal Corporation and UNICEF, the links between vaccine stores and communities are being strengthened, making immunization more accessible, with good quality vaccines in the fastest-growing urban areas.
From the precision of pharmacists like Mansuri to the coordination led by medical officers like Dr Bhavesh, Gujarat’s urban immunization system is built on expertise, efficiency, and trust, ensuring every child receives the protection they deserve. As urban populations grow, strengthening cold chain infrastructure in cities is essential to meet rising demand. The vaccine management system, with digital technological innovations like eVIN and the National Cold Chain MIS system, has added significant value to the large-scale public health vaccination programme.
The Universal Immunization Programme of the government of India is supporting the states with essential cold chain equipment and lifesaving vaccines free of cost. UNICEF provided catalytic supply of high-end cold chain equipment like Walk In Cooler and Walk In Freezer, the Government of Gujarat invested huge resources in constructing district and corporation vaccination stores.
“The Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessment conducted in partnership with UNICEF in Gujarat in 2019 served as a strategic blueprint for strengthening our cold chain infrastructure and vaccine logistics management. It enabled the state to identify key gaps and implement targeted improvements, ensuring vaccine quality from store to session site.”
“Based on EVM recommendations, Gujarat has undertaken key initiatives, including constructing new District Vaccine Stores in 25 districts and preparations for establishing a dedicated State Vaccine Store equipped with modern technology.
By investing in strengthening the cold chain and vaccine logistic management systems, we are reinforcing the backbone of the Universal Immunization Programme, so every child receives safe, effective, and timely vaccination, especially in our rapidly growing urban and tribal areas. These efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring a resilient cold chain system that delivers safe and potent vaccines to every beneficiary," says Dr Nayan P Jani, Additional Director, Family Welfare, Gujarat.
These efforts are more than system upgrades—they are a promise that every child, no matter where they live, will have the chance to grow up healthy and protected.
