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• 03 Dec

  Funding For Vaccine Transport, Storage & Distribution

  

  Finally, the UK has breathed a sigh of relief following the news that the Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in the UK (leading the world), so the vaccination program can now be rolled out. However, comments from the Prime Minister have already highlighted the logistics issues that surround the rollout.

  Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine

  The UK has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which is said to be 95% effective against this particular coronavirus when given to a patient in 2 doses, spread over 21 days. However, the vaccine has to be stored at -70C and needs to be defrosted in batches of 1,000 doses. This requirement for refrigeration has already seen those in care homes slip down the pecking order, due to the logistical problems that this creates.

  Apparently, Pfizer has developed special transport boxes, each the size of a suitcase, which are packed with dry ice and installed with GPS trackers. Each box can store up to 5,000 doses at the right temperature for 10 days. That time window is narrow for transport to the UK from Germany and Belgium, and onward distribution within the UK. Many GPs will not have the refrigeration equipment that would be required to maintain such a low temperature.

  Funding Transport, Storage & Distribution Of The Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine

  No doubt there will be many UK companies involved with the huge task of distribution, storage and transportation of the vaccine. Our small contribution is to find funding for any of those that need cash flow support to enable them to undertake this work. Whether that is transportation, storage or even provision of temporary staff to support the effort.

  The size of the effort required is going to lead to abnormally large requirements being placed on many companies. Funding large orders is where we can offer expertise, having been able to help many UK companies already.

  News reports suggest that other vaccines e.g. the Moderna and the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccines, that don't require such extreme refrigeration, are soon to become available. However, to address the crisis as quickly as possible all options are rightly being pursued, and the first available option is the Pfizer vaccine.

  By Glenn Blackman