PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. By collaborating with diverse public- and private-sector partners, PATH helps provide appropriate health technologies and vital strategies that change the way people think and act.

PATH has been a leader in developing safer injection technologies such as auto-disable syringes, pre-filled injection devices, and medical waste systems. These technologies help make injection safety an attainable goal for many struggling health systems. PATH conceptualized the vaccine vial monitor (VVM), now used globally to increase vaccine efficacy and reduce wastage. The heat-sensitive label changes color as it is exposed to heat and helps health workers decide whether or not the vaccine has been damaged by heat. The VVM can also reveal breaks in the vaccine distribution cold chain.

As part of its work to improve vaccine delivery and logistics systems, PATH is helping to refine the vaccine distribution cold chain. PATH's cold chain activities include identifying cold chain weaknesses, finding ways to overcome cold chain problems, and identifying improved cold chain refrigeration systems. Affordable, easy to use refrigerators that can keep vaccines at safe temperatures within the infrastructure limitations of developing countries are an important tool in improving vaccine delivery.

For more information, please visit www.path.org.

Contact: Joanie Robertson
Project Manager
1455 NW Leary Way,
Seattle, WA 98107-5136
USA,
Phone: 206-788-2218;
Fax: 206-285-6619
Email: jrobertson@path.org