# Cold chain

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> A vaccine shipment must stay at 2–8 °C from the moment it leaves the manufacturing site until it reaches the administering clinic.

A vaccine shipment must stay at 2–8 °C from the moment it leaves the manufacturing site until it reaches the administering clinic. That unbroken sequence of temperature-controlled handling is the cold chain: every actor—manufacturer, freight forwarder, warehouse operator, last-mile courier—must maintain specified temperature bands and document compliance at each handover point. A single gap, whether a malfunctioning reefer unit or an unshaded tarmac delay, risks product degradation or total loss. Cold chains apply across pharmaceuticals, fresh food, biologics, and other perishable goods, and are governed by frameworks including WHO guidelines and EU Good Distribution Practice (GDP) rules.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_chain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_chain)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Cold chain |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 97 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_chain |

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*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/cold-chain-3](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/cold-chain-3)*

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