Controlled temperature chain - technical resources

Anna-Lea Kahn

The controlled temperature chain (CTC) is a specific short-term approach to vaccine management that allows vaccines to be kept at temperatures above the long-term +2° to +8° C storage condition for a limited period of time under monitored and controlled conditions appropriate to the stability of the antigen. Current WHO programme conditions for CTC include a single exposure just prior to administration, tolerating ambient temperatures of at least 40°C for a limited duration of at least three days, with these temperature and time conditions included in the approved label.

This page provides a list of resources related to CTC, as well as materials developed by the CTC Working Group. The aim is to raise CTC awareness among multi-sector stakeholders and industry; engage more partners through the promotion of a common vision and strategy around CTC; encourage a constructive dialogue with manufacturers on the need for more vaccine innovations and their willingness to consider CTC labelling for new or existing vaccines; increase country uptake of CTC implementation during immunization campaigns to increase vaccine coverage and generate more data on CTC. Resources are orgaised by category:

 

Publications

TitreAuteurAnnéeTypeLangue
Comment contrôler la température dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement en vaccinsWorld Health Organization (WHO)2015GuidanceFrançais
Controlled temperature chain for vaccination in low- and middle-income countries: a realist evidence synthesisChristopher P. Seaman, Anna-Lea Kahn, Debra Kristensen, Robert Steinglass, Dijana Spasenoska, Nick Scott, Christopher Morgan2022Journal articleAnglais
Delivering MenAfriVac using the controlled temperature chain approachPATH, World Health Organization (WHO)2013Case studyAnglais, Français
How to monitor temperatures in the vaccine supply chainUNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO)2015GuidanceAnglais
Use of MenAfriVac™ (meningitis A vaccine) in a controlled temperature chain (CTC) during campaigns : adaptation guide and facilitators guideWorld Health Organization (WHO)2013GuidanceAnglais
Use of MenAfriVac™ (meningitis A vaccine) in a controlled temperature chain (CTC) during campaigns : training module for organizing immunization sessionsWorld Health Organization (WHO)2013TrainingAnglais
Use of MenAfriVac™ (meningitis A vaccine) in a controlled temperature chain (CTC) during campaigns: guidance for immunization programme decision-makers and managersWorld Health Organization (WHO)2013GuidanceAnglais, Français
Utilisation du MenAfriVac™ (vaccin contre la méningite A) en chaîne à température contrôlée (CTC) pendant les campagnes - Guide à l'intention des décideurs et des administrateurs des programmes de vaccinationWorld Health Organization (WHO)2013GuidanceFrançais
Utilisation du MenAfriVac™ (vaccin contre la méningite A) en chaîne à température contrôlée (CTC) pendant les campagnes - Guide d'adaptation et guide du formateurWorld Health Organization (WHO)2013GuidanceFrançais
Utilisation du MenAfriVac™ (vaccin contre la méningite A) en chaîne à température contrôlée (CTC) pendant les campagnes - Module de formation pour l'organisation de séances de vaccinationWorld Health Organization (WHO)2013TrainingFrançais

 

Journal articles

TitreAuteurAnnéeTypeLangue
A cluster randomized non-inferiority field trial on the immunogenicity and safety of tetanus toxoid vaccine kept in controlled temperature chain compared to cold chainRebecca F. Grais, Primitive Gakima, Paul Baoundoh, Mbaihol Tamadji, Martha H. Roper, Florence Fermon, Céline Langendorf, Camille Domicent, Aitana Juan-Giner, Simona Zipursky2014Journal articleAnglais
An economic evaluation of the controlled temperature chain approach for vaccine logistics: evidence from a study conducted during a meningitis A vaccine campaign in TogoMvundura et all2017Journal articleAnglais
Antivenoms, hepatitis B vaccine and oral polio vaccine can be considered for storage and handling outside the cold chain following the innovative 'controlled temperature chain' approachShereen H. Mohamed, Osama A. Hady, Mona T. Kashef, Hamdallah Zedan2022Journal articleAnglais
Benefits of using vaccines out of the cold chain: Delivering Meningitis A vaccine in a controlled temperature chain during the mass immunization campaign in BeninSimona Zipursky, Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Jean-Claude Lodjo, Laifoya Olodo, Sylvestre Tiendrebeogo, Olivier Ronveaux2014Journal articleAnglais
Can thermostable vaccines help address cold-chain challenges? Results from stakeholder interviews in six low- and middle-income countriesDebra D. Kristensen, Kate Bartholomew, Shirley Villadiego, Tina LorensonJournal articleAnglais
Countries’ interest in a hepatitis B vaccine licensed for the controlled temperature chain; survey results from African and Western Pacific regionsDörte Petit, Carole Tevi-Benissan, Joseph Woodring, Karen Hennessey, Anna-Lea Kahn2017Journal articleAnglais
Economic benefits of keeping vaccines at ambient temperature during mass vaccination: the case of Meningitis A vaccine in ChadPatrick Lydon et al.2014Journal articleAnglais
Extending supply chains and improving immunization coverage and equity through controlled temperature chain use of vaccinesRaja Rao, Debra Kristensen, Anna-Lea Kahn2017Journal articleAnglais

 

Advocacy

TitreAuteurAnnéeTypeLangue
Controlled temperature chain: Strategic Roadmap for Priority Vaccines 2017-2020World Health Organization (WHO)2018GuidanceAnglais
CTC - Delivering vaccines more easilyWorld Health Organization (WHO)2015GuidanceAnglais, Français
CTC FAQsControlled Temperature Chain Team2023PresentationAnglais
Infographique CTCWorld Health Organization (WHO)2015Poster/infographicFrançais
Questions fréquentes CTCWorld Health Organization (WHO)2015GuidanceFrançais
What is a controlled temperature chain? (CTC) - InfographicWorld Health Organization (WHO)2015Poster/infographicAnglais