Case Study: Transporting Vaccines and Temperature-Sensitive Products—How to Ensure a Secure “Last Mile”?

In healthcare logistics, the “last mile” refers to the final leg of transport between a distribution center, an in-house pharmacy, or a logistics hub and the location where the products will be used.

Recipients may include pharmacies, clinical laboratories, doctors’ offices, healthcare facilities, vaccination centers, or mobile units.

Although this phase is often the shortest in the supply chain, it is among the most sensitive. Temperature-sensitive products can be exposed to numerous risks: heavy traffic, prolonged stops, high outdoor temperatures, repeated opening of containers, or significant weather fluctuations.

This case study illustrates how advancements in transport equipment can help better control temperature conditions during this particularly critical stage.

The Context

A network specializing in the transport of healthcare products was tasked with delivering vaccines, labile blood products, and other temperature-sensitive products on a daily basis. These products required storage within a temperature range of +2 °C to +8 °C, in accordance with the specific requirements of each product.

Deliveries were made to several facilities along the same route, involving numerous stops and frequent openings of the transport containers.

The operation was also highly seasonal, with periods of intense summer heat posing an additional challenge for maintaining temperatures.

The Challenges Faced

The solutions used relied primarily on passive insulated containers combined with cold packs.

While this equipment met many needs, certain situations made its use more complex:

• very high temperatures inside the vehicles;
• longer-than-expected trips due to traffic conditions;
• repeated openings during various deliveries;
• limited battery life of the cold packs;
• concerns about whether temperatures could be maintained after several hours on the route.

In some cases, products that had been exposed to temperature fluctuations had to be isolated and then evaluated before use, in accordance with established quality procedures.

The Choice of an Active Cooling Solution

To improve control over transport conditions, the network decided to gradually equip its fleet with CTFA1050S active-cooling refrigerated transport containers offered by Médifroid.

Unlike passive solutions, these units have their own refrigeration unit and generate the cooling necessary to maintain the set temperature.

The system provides continuous electronic temperature control during transport and allows the unit’s operation to be adjusted as needed.

A power supply adapted to the different phases of transport

The containers can be powered from the electrical grid while routes are being planned and then connected to the vehicle’s 12-volt power supply during transit.

This dual power supply ensures the refrigeration unit continues to operate throughout the various stages of delivery, provided the manufacturer’s operating conditions are followed.

Electronic control maintains a stable temperature in accordance with the equipment’s technical specifications.

A design engineered to minimize heat exchange

The CTFA1050S features a one-piece polyethylene structure combined with reinforced insulation.

Its top-opening design helps minimize air exchange with the outside environment during handling. This design can reduce cold loss observed during repeated openings during a delivery run.

The unit is designed to meet the demands of daily biomedical transport.

Results Observed After Several Months of Use

After several months of operation, the carrier noted several improvements in its logistics operations.

• Better temperature stability during delivery routes.
• A reduction in instances requiring product inspection after transport.
• Fewer challenges related to preparing and replacing ice packs.
• Greater visibility into transport conditions thanks to electronic temperature monitoring.
• Greater peace of mind for delivery teams during heat waves.

Temperature data recorded during trips also provides useful traceability information when products are received by the destination facilities.

Traceability: An Essential Element

Beyond maintaining temperature, the ability to demonstrate compliance with transport conditions is a major challenge.

Tracking systems make it possible, in particular, to:

• record temperatures throughout the entire transport process;
• quickly detect any deviations;
• maintain a history of the data;
• facilitate quality control procedures;
• document delivery conditions.

This traceability complements the procedures implemented by facilities as part of their quality requirements.

Some best practices for securing the last mile

Regardless of the solution chosen, several recommendations can help minimize the risk of cold chain breaches:

• prepare the equipment before departure;
• check the temperature before loading;
• organize the delivery route to minimize the number of stops;
• avoid prolonged exposure of containers to the sun;
• regularly check that the equipment is functioning properly;
• train teams on transport procedures;
• have a backup plan in case of an incident.

Médifroid supports professionals in biomedical transport

The demands of the last mile require equipment adapted to on-the-ground conditions. The transport solutions offered by Médifroid are designed to support healthcare facilities, laboratories, pharmacies, and specialized carriers in their daily operations.

Thanks to temperature-controlled storage and transport equipment, it is possible to strengthen control of the cold chain throughout the entire logistics process, from the preparation site to the final delivery point.

The case study presented shows that a suitable active cooling solution, combined with rigorous organization and continuous temperature monitoring, can help ensure the safe transport of vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products during the final stage of their delivery.

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