WHO Catalogue of Prequalified Immunization Devices
The WHO Catalogue of Prequalified Immunization Devices includes details of all immunization-related products and devices currently prequalified by WHO for procurement by United Nations agencies. The Catalogue replaces the fomer WHO/UNICEF Product Information Sheets (PIS) of which the last edition was published in 2000.
Only products that are included in the WHO Catalogue of Prequalified Immunization Devices are recommended for procurement by UN agencies.
Products that successfully meet WHO standards for immunization products and devices are "prequalified" for use in any national Expanded Programme on Immunization to which they are relevant. Prequalified products are listed in the Catalogue and accompanied by information sheets (accessible and downloadable online) to help buyers select the most appropriate products for their specific needs. Each edition of the catalogue is date-stamped and updated regularly to ensure that the information it contains remains current.
The Catalogue does not provide an exhaustive overview of products for use in immunization programmes, including only those products that have been independently assessed in accordance with WHO verification procedures and found to meet the requirements of the relevant performance specifications. The fact that certain products and manufacturers are not included in the Catalogue does not mean that, if independently tested, they would not be found to comply with the relevant WHO performance specifications. WHO therefore encourages manufacturers to apply for prequalification to support the development of a competitive marketplace.
Organization of catalogue
The Catalogue is organized as follows:
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E001: Cold rooms, freezer rooms, and related equipment
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E002: Refrigerated vehicles
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E003: Refrigerators and freezers
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E004: Cold boxes and vaccine carriers
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E005: Coolant-packs and vaccine carriers
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E006: Cold chain accessories
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E007: Cold chain accessories
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E008: Injection devices for immunization
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E010: Waste management equipment
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E013: Injection devices for therapeutic purposes.
Note: Categories E009, E011 and E012 are currently not in use.
Each catalogue section includes a brief presentation of the equipment category, details of currently prequalified products and links to relevant supporting documents, including equipment selection.
Every product has a unique reference: the PQS product code. The code comprises the category reference (e.g. E003) followed by a number that is exclusive to the product. A unique reference is never reassigned to another product, therefore breaks in the numerical sequence will appear when an item is dropped from the catalogue.
Procurement suggestions
Any Member State and UN organization intending to use the Catalogue for procurement purposes should ensure that only products from the manufacturers mentioned in the Catalogue are procured. However, inclusion of a product in the Catalogue does not constitute any guarantee for the procurement of this product.
Procurement agencies using the Catalogue for procurement purposes remain solely responsible for ensuring the quality of the products that are delivered to them. Procurement agencies are also responsible for ensuring the financial stability and standing of the supplier, their ability to supply the required quantities and that the products have obtained the required marketing authorizations.
Conditions of use
Information presented in the WHO Catalogue of Prequailfied Devices does not reflect the views or policies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the mention of specific companies and products does not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the WHO.
The Catalogue may be reproduced and translated in whole or in part for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission. However, no use may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatsoever.
Disclaimers
Web-accessible links to sites external to the WHO are provided as additional resources in the Catalogue. However, no endorsement is implied and WHO is not responsible for the accuracy of information provided by external sites.
WHO does not guarantee that the Catalogue is complete or error free.
Furthermore, by including products in the Catalogue, WHO does not imply that:
- the products which have been found to meet the relevant performance specifications will continue to do so, nor that
- the products included in the Catalogue have obtained marketing authorization for their specified use or any other use in any country of the world, or that their use is otherwise in accordance with the national laws and regulations of any country, including but not limited to patent laws.
WHO wishes to alert procuring agencies that the improper handling and transportation of products may affect their quality, safety and/or effectiveness.
WHO disclaims any and all liability and responsibility for any injury, death, loss, or damage of any kind whatsoever that may arise as a result of, or in connection with the procurement, distribution and use of any product included in the Catalogue.
The symbols and abbreviations below are used in the product data sheets and category documents and guidelines.
-- |
information not applicable or not available |
< |
less than or equal to |
> |
greater than or equal to |
°C |
degrees celsius (centigrade) |
A |
ampere |
AC |
alternating current |
BCG |
bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (for tuberculosis) |
cc |
cubic centimetre |
CFC |
chloro-fluoro-carbon |
cm |
centimetre |
DC |
direct current |
DT |
diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccine |
DTP |
diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine |
g |
grams |
G |
gauge |
GWP |
global warming potential (CO2 = 1.0) |
H x W x L |
height by width by length (or depth) |
HC |
hydrocarbon |
HDPE |
high-density polyethylene |
HepB |
hepatitis B vaccine |
HFC |
hydro fluorocarbon |
Hib |
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine |
HIPS |
high impact polystyrene |
hrs |
hours |
Hz |
hertz (cycles per second) |
id |
internal diameter |
IPV |
inactivated polio vaccine |
kg |
kilograms |
km |
kilometre |
kVA |
kilovolt-ampere |
kWh |
kilowatt-hours |
L |
litres |
m |
metre |
m3 |
cubic metre |
max |
maximum |
min |
minimum |
ml |
millilitre |
mm |
millimetre |
MMR |
measles-mumps-rubella vaccine |
MR |
measles-rubella vaccine |
No. |
number |
od |
outer diameter |
ODP |
ozone depletion potential |
OPV |
oral polio vaccine |
PoA |
price on application |
psi |
pounds per square inch |
PVC |
polyvinyl chloride plastic |
RPM |
revolutions per minute |
TT |
tetanus toxoid vaccine |
V |
volt |
VAC |
voltage alternating current |
VDC |
voltage direct current |
W |
watt |
YF |
yellow fever vaccine |