Odisha Vaccine Store Becomes India’s First to Receive ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Bhubaneswar, Feb 25: In a landmark achievement, the State Vaccine Store of Odisha has become the first in the country to receive the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). This recognition underscores Odisha’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in vaccine storage and distribution.

Handling approximately 2.36 crore doses of vaccines annually, the State Vaccine Store ensures safe storage and efficient last-mile delivery to meet the immunization needs of 9.4 lakh pregnant women, 7.9 lakh infants, and 28 lakh adolescents each year.

Further strengthening the state’s reputation in immunization quality management, seven regional and 22 district vaccine stores in Odisha have also been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification. Odisha operates a robust vaccine storage network, comprising 1,263 cold chain centers, including one state vaccine store, nine regional vaccine stores, and 32 district vaccine stores. This extensive infrastructure guarantees that vaccines are maintained at optimal temperatures until they reach beneficiaries.

A dedicated workforce ensures seamless supply chain operations, adhering to key quality standards such as a structured storage system, efficient cold chain management, and digitized record-keeping through online software. The vaccine store follows strict protocols, including temperature checks twice daily and maintaining zero wastage, reinforcing its commitment to quality maintenance.

Official sources emphasized that this milestone has been achieved due to the relentless dedication of health department staff and frontline health workers. Their efforts have played a crucial role in ensuring an efficient and secure immunization program across the state.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification marks a significant step forward in Odisha’s healthcare journey, setting a benchmark for other states to follow in vaccine storage and distribution excellence.