China cold storage solution provider
Not all vaccines can be stored at 2–8°C. Certain critical vaccines—including mRNA-based formulations, live-virus candidates, and some veterinary biologics—require stable –20°C storage to maintain potency.
A single temperature excursion can destroy $50,000+ worth of vaccines. That’s why your cold room isn’t just a freezer—it’s an insurance policy.
So how much does a compliant –20°C vaccine cold room cost—and how much can you safely store?
📦 Storage Capacity: How Many Doses Fit?
| Cold Room Size | Usable Volume | Floor Area* | Pallet Capacity | Approx. Vaccine Doses** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Clinic / Lab | 25 m³ | 6 m² (4m height) | 12–15 pallets | 300,000 – 500,000 doses |
| Regional Distribution Hub | 100 m³ | 25 m² | 50–60 pallets | 1.2M – 2M doses |
| National Logistics Center | 500 m³ | 125 m² | 250–300 pallets | 6M – 10M+ doses |
*Standard racking with GMP-compliant spacing.
**Assumes standard cartons (e.g., 10,000–20,000 doses per pallet). Actual count varies by vial size and packaging.
💰 Total Investment: Turnkey –20°C Vaccine Cold Room (2026 Pricing)
| System Level | Key Features | Total Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic WHO-GDP Compliant (25m³, –20°C) |
• 150mm PU panels • Dual compressors (“1+1” redundancy) • Digital temp logger (24/7 cloud) • SMS/email alarms • Emergency backup power input |
$16,000 – $20,000 |
| Advanced GMP Facility (100m³, –20°C) |
• Redundant refrigeration + UPS • 24/7 remote monitoring with audit trail • Double-door airlock • Validation support (IQ/OQ) • LED explosion-proof lighting |
$34,000 – $40,000 |
| Large-Scale National Depot (500m³+) |
• Full redundancy (N+1) • Integrated BMS system • Generator auto-start • WHO prequalification documentation |
$65,000 – $75,000+ |
✅ All systems include:
- Temperature mapping validation
- Calibration certificates
- Operator training
- Compliance with WHO GDP, GMP, and SFDA/FDA guidelines
🔑 Why “–20°C” Is Not Just a Number
Storing vaccines at –20°C requires precision engineering, not just a commercial freezer:
- Temperature stability: Must maintain –20°C ±1°C at all times—even during door openings
- No frost buildup: Defrost cycles must not cause temp spikes
- Air circulation: Uniform airflow to eliminate hot/cold spots
- Power resilience: Backup power must engage within seconds, not minutes
⚠️ A 30-minute outage at +5°C can irreversibly degrade temperature-sensitive vaccines.
🌍 Real-World Insight
A national immunization program in Kenya upgraded its regional hub with a 100m³ –20°C cold room:
- Total Investment: $38,000 USD
- Capacity: Stores 1.8 million doses of new-generation vaccines
- Result:
- Passed WHO cold chain assessment
- Eliminated vaccine wastage from power outages
- Enabled rollout of next-gen immunization campaigns
- Qualified for Gavi co-financing
“This isn’t storage—it’s mission assurance.”
— Cold Chain Officer, Ministry of Health