Definition: World Health Organization Performance, Quality and Safety prequalification program for cold chain equipment. Ensures immunization cold chain equipment meets WHO performance standards for vaccine storage and transport.
Why It Matters: WHO PQS prequalification is required for equipment procured through UN agencies and many government immunization programs. South African vaccine cold chain procurement often specifies WHO PQS equipment.
Equipment Categories:
– Vaccine refrigerators and freezers
– Cold rooms and freezer rooms
– Cold boxes and vaccine carriers
– Ice packs and coolant packs
– Temperature monitoring devices
– Solar refrigeration systems
PQS Standards:
– E003: Refrigerators and freezers
– E004: Cold rooms and freezer rooms
– E005: Temperature monitoring devices
– E006: Cold boxes and vaccine carriers
Related Terms: Vaccine Cold Chain, Immunization, Temperature Monitoring, Cold Room