Tony Dellumo, QProducts & Services

As states begin to release their draft Covid-19 vaccine distribution plans, the vaccine cold chain requirements from manufacturer to patient present the biggest challenge these supply chains have seen throughout the course of this pandemic.

Compounded by the estimated 6.4 billion flu vaccines manufactured and distributed globally every year, the hundreds of millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses needed in the US and tens of billions worldwide threaten to stretch temp-controlled resources thin due to the variety of stringent temperature guidelines attached to different types of Covid-19 vaccines in development. The leading candidates belong to the mRNA category of shots, touting an impressive storage/distribution requirement of -94⁰F, with only a 24-hour allowable excursion 

for refrigerated temperature exposure. Other protein sub-unit vaccines are capable of refrigerated storage for months, yet others garner temp requirements of -4⁰F.

For those familiar with the escalating prices of temp controlled airfreight and ground transportation due to the normal increase in demand, service cost, and the additional stress of ongoing pandemic related issues, the need to scramble for alternatives under the pressure of vaccine distribution can be a stark reality. Inevitably, everyday temp-sensitive cargo will be squeezed out of their place in line for temp-controlled equipment, forcing shippers to become flexible in how they manage their logistics moving into 2021 and beyond.

How to remain flexible in a capacity crunch

Equipment selection for the right products at the right time

Identify when you can ship safely without temperature-controlled equipment, utilizing passive thermal protection (i.e., 

) to eliminate possible excursions, dry equipment during times when environmental risk is low enough, or a combination of both to avoid delays and service disruption.

Use what you know about your product specs, your shipping lanes, and your service providers.

Examine lane risk using weather data and product data of each shipment ahead of scheduling.

Protection on the tarmac without paying for active containers

Reflective pallet covers with varying levels of insulation can maintain product temps for hours on the tarmac.

Add phase change materials like gels and pre-condition for pallet-shipper protection without the pallet shipper prices.

Now’s a good time to explore switching from air to ocean where applicable. It’s less expensive and more available with temp-controlled service.

Ocean freight excursions can be eliminated using breathable pallet covers that maintain pallet temps in refrigerated containers during off-shore and on-shore power outages.

Check out full container protection in the form of 

 provides flexibility and alternatives to shipping temperature-sensitive freight by utilizing passive thermal protection and cargo security, including providing pallet protection for Covid-19 vaccine trials. For over 25 years, we have served the pharma, life sciences, and healthcare industries, helping in the safe distribution of CRT and 2-8⁰C products. With our ear to the ground throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked to continue manufacturing our American Made products full-time, in a commitment to keeping the supply chain and cold chains moving so people can get the healthcare products, medicine, and food they need every day despite Covid-19 disruptions. In hosting our 

 webinars for our community of cold chain professionals from all industries, we invite you to join our Cold Chain Council 

 to share your insight on current challenges in your cold chain and add to the conversation!

Our next webinar features Georgios Ampartzidis from the World Federation of Hemophilia and Ed De Reyes of Sabrewing Aircraft Company discussing ways to ship temp-sensitive and life-saving medications to remote and underdeveloped regions of the world. Interested in attending? 

Articles

Top players from cold chain logistics’ pharma, biologics, and life sciences sector sound alarm on the upcoming burden on temperature-controlled shipping capacity as the global supply chain plans for the safe distribution of Covid-19 vaccines requiring strict temperature management, some as cold as -20 to -30⁰C.

Cold chain capacity crisis looms ahead of Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Are you prepared?

October 1st in Chicago’s’ Museum Campus district will mark the 4th Cold Chain Council for the pharma, healthcare and chemical industries. This educational forum will feature panel discussions and presentations by top executives and tech experts discussing the new decade ahead, trends in supply chain tech and best practices for 2020.

With a key focus on furthering the industry and advancing best practices in the supply chain and cold chain respectively, the main goal of the Cold Chain Council is to bring together high-level industry professionals to share in thought leadership and create a casual platform for discussion of real world challenges and solutions derived from everyday experiences of speakers and attendees alike. Hosted by QProducts & Services, there are no other sponsors, no fee to attend, and attendance is capped to provide an informal and informative feel for one afternoon in Chicago.

This year’s event will be moderated by Amy Shortman, a senior executive at Overhaul Group. Her keynote will set the scene for the day’s discussion on how technology will affect traditional supply chains, the scope of our working environment and the benefits that may arise. Amy’s expertise stems from more than twenty years of pharmaceutical logistics experience. A Chartered Fellow of The Institute of Transport and Logistics, Amy has become a well-known thought leader in education and brand awareness to the healthcare and logistics industry’s need for improved compliance and cool chain management, backed by her professional career including roles in operations for a global logistics provider of clinical trials, a world-leading temp-controlled container company, supply chain security for a “Top 3” third-party logistics provider and eventually establishing a global supply chain business services company, ASC Associates Ltd, specializing in high-value and temp-sensitive freight.

Amy will be in good company with an impressive line-up of industry experts hailing from a diverse group of companies: Big Pharma shippers AbbVie and McKesson; the World Federation of Hemophilia; computer-aided environment-software developer Smart CAE; smart technology manufacturers SensorTransport Inc and Berlinger USA; and advanced predictive risk-analysis software developer Riskpulse. Session topics have been locked in and speakers are teaming up to lead discussions in what promises to be an informative afternoon of interactive discussion and networking. The setting overlooks Chicago’s museums and lake front to the East and impressive skyline and Grant Park to the North. Here’s a taste of the agenda and talented roster:

Wild Weather and Adapting to The New Norm. Lane Analysis and Risk Visibility Through Advanced Forecasting and Data Analytics.

 Mark Russo, SVP of Weather Operations, Riskpulse

Cold Chain Tech 2020. Service, Equipment and Qualification Innovations for The New Decade.

Stefan Braun, Managing Director, Smart CAE and Stephen Dusel, Sales Manager North, Berlinger USA

Big Pharma Cold Chain Report. What’s New as We Look Ahead into The Twenties?

David Ulrich, QA Director of Global Supply Chain Compliance, Abbvie and Georgios Ampartzidis, Logistics Manager-Humanitarian Aid, World Federation of Hemophilia

Digitization and IoT's Continuing Impact on the Supply Chain.

 Michael Dee, VP of Global Security, McKesson; Amy Shortman, Director of Product Marketing, Overhaul Group Inc.; and Sascha Peyer, Co-Founder and CCO, SensorTransport, Inc.

The afternoons’ sessions conclude with an interactive discussion between attendees and speakers, including an opportunity for Q&A before wrapping up and moving on to the evenings festivities. The networking portion of the Cold Chain Council agenda includes cocktails and dinner reception at the Chicago Yacht Club followed by a private yacht cruise down the Chicago River at nightfall.

For more information on content and key takeaways from this event, connect with event hosts QProducts & Services on LinkedIn or visit the Cold Chain Council homepage for other CCC events and an opportunity to attend.

Top pharma executives and supply-chain tech experts to gather in Chicago for 4th Annual Cold Chain Council meeting