Solar refrigerators: a cool way to ensure Covid-19 vaccination throughout Africa

Sunlight came in from the curtains opened in Freetown, Sierra Leone, As Sheku Bockarie talks about the working principle of solar direct drive (SDD) refrigerators.

“We have six panels on the roof,” he said, pointing to the ceiling of the city military hospital.

As the health supervisor for rural areas in the western region of Freetown, Mr. Bokari is responsible for overseeing the mobile team of outgoing deliveries Coronavirus-19 vaccinations. That afternoon, they drove to a university to ensure that students were protected from the virus.

“The refrigerator ensures vaccine Keep them effective,” he said, turning the camera to the dark blue refrigerator.

In countries where there is no national grid to power traditional refrigerators, Solar energy It is often the only viable option.

“SDD refrigerators are specifically designed for the environment in developing countries,” said a spokesperson for the Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi. Their latest data shows that more than 45,000 SDD devices have been installed in 42 countries.

Joyce Anusumana is the head of the cold chain and logistics team of the Sierra Leone Basic Immunization Program (EPI). She said solar technology is essential for vaccinating people in remote areas.

“They are a very good innovation that saves lives,” she said. “They are very powerful, they are great, and they are very helpful for immunization.”

Although this technology requires a large initial investment, it takes into account the Renewable EnergyData for 2019 shows that the total cost of ownership of SDD refrigerators is better than gas or electric refrigerators.

“They are very easy to use and maintain,” said Baboucarr Boye, an immunization expert at UNICEF in Sierra Leone.

Regional technicians have been trained to provide daily maintenance for solar refrigerators, but Mr. Boyi said that staff and technicians in medical institutions have reported that refrigerators require very little repair and maintenance after installation.

In view of its cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and important role in the promotion of vaccination, the Ministry of Health is working with UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization to ensure that SDD refrigerators are available to every medical institution in Sierra Leone.

Mr. Boye said that by December 2021, they are expected to equip more than 90% of the country’s 1,367 medical institutions with SDD refrigerators.

In Kenya, most of the country’s vaccination stations are connected to the grid.

However, this does not mean that SDD refrigerators are not a valuable asset. As Kenya advances its Covid-19 vaccine rollout strategy, it will begin to provide the vaccine in 2,000 “low-level” facilities that can use solar-powered refrigerators.

Dr. Lucy Mecca, Head of the Vaccine Supply and Quantity Team of Kenya’s National Vaccine and Immunization Program, said: “Subsequent vaccine deployments are expected to distribute vaccines in lower-level facilities, some of which are equipped with SDD refrigerators. This means access to jabs. It will not be limited to the place connected to the main power source.”

Accelerate the delivery of Covid-19 vaccine Africa , Gavi is acquiring another 4,500 SDD refrigerators and freezers.