Independent Testing By Cambridge Refrigeration Technology

A new design of the CorrMed Porta Thermal Vaccine bags was released in September 2020 with improved handling functions including ladder carry straps and an integrated trolley option, as well as internal pockets to support insulation bricks and coolant pouches.

Before being released on to the market, the vaccine transport bags also underwent independent testing by Cambridge Refrigeration Technology.

​

The R&D team from CorrMed tested a number of scenarios. The team used frozen coolants, chilled coolants, and also no coolants to try and establish a clear understanding of how the vaccine bags will perform in the real world.

The position of the coolants within the bags were changed, as was mass of coolant and also the ambient temperature, testing at both 30°C and 25°C. The team also tested for different loading temperatures, with one load at 2°C and another load at 5°C.

The results of the independent testing showed that our 20-litre thermal bag remained in cold chain the longest, for 9.98 hours.

The vaccine bag had 2 large coolant blocks and 6 coolant gels. When packed differently the bag achieved 6.3 hours in cold chain. Our assumption is the extra coolant at the top of the bag has absorbed the incoming heat, providing a protective barrier for the contents inside the bag, allowing it to remain in cold chain for longer.

This also shows the importance of appropriately packing a vaccine carry bag to ensure that it remains in cold chain for the longest time possible.

We understand the importance of independent testing and continue to work with partners who are undertaking ‘in field testing’ as well as our own independent testing facility.