We need to develop a COVID-19 vaccine cold-chain now!

^{Assuming a COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, the cold chain needs to be prepared for the onslaught of vaccines shipping around the world and the Philippines.}

It’s not an easy task, given the number of transfer points from manufacturing to administration sites. Vaccines often travel by truck and airplane, with stops and storage at the distributor before arrival at the terminal point, where they once again go into cold storage. The last mile to the healthcare provider could be a van delivery to a nearby town, or they could be transported via donkey, bike or camel, or carabao for that matter.

The vaccine supply chain involves not only manufacturing the vaccine contents, but storage and packaging components, cold-chain transit, domestic and global shipping, distribution strategies and storage.

COVID-19 vaccines could be ready for some frontline workers and at-risk populations later this year or early 2021. Unlike with traditional development timelines, interested parties are throwing money at this development process to speed up availability.

Manufacturing billions of anything in a short time frame is a feat under normal circumstances. But there are no available manufacturing facilities just waiting for the coronavirus vaccines. Globally, manufacturers produce 5 billion vaccine doses annually, including 1.5 billion flu vaccines. And without excess capacity, production of a new coronavirus vaccine will cut into current vaccine production.

Transportation and the vaccine supply chain

Distributing and storing vaccines through the cold chain is easily done across the country, provided logistics and transportation are moving continuously. However, it requires adequate cool storage facilities, refrigerated containers, and experience in handling vaccines. And that’s a big issue: most of the vaccines under development now need to be stored at minus 80 degrees Celsius! That logistic infrastructure in not available. It is essential that the research finds ways to bring the storage and transport temperature to a significantly higher level.

The COVID-19 vaccines would not all be available at once, giving suppliers and manufacturers additional time to ramp up and continue production. Initial doses would likely go to front-line health workers and vulnerable populations. Initially, government entities would help distribute vaccines; but most likely, companies would then take over that role.

What does this mean for the Philippines?

You saw the recent headlines?

* Phl seeks access to COVID vaccine from 4 countries (including Russia)

* The government will spend Php 20 billion to buy vaccines for Covid-19, as soon as these become available later this year.

* Manila, ready to procure vaccine – Isko Moreno

It is high time for government and the private sector to get together and discuss the vaccine handling from arrival in the country through cold storageand nationwide refrigerated containers distribution to the Filipinos that need to be vaccinated.As mentioned above, also in the Philippines, storage and distribution at minus 80 degrees Celsius is not available. But the good news is that one logistics company can handle the storage and distribution at minus 18 degrees Celsius!

Who should be on this interagency/private sector committee?

* On the government side: DOH, FDA, BOC, DILG incl. LGUs, government hospitals, etc.

* On the private sector side: pharmaceutical companies, logistics experts handling, storing and distributing vaccines already, private hospitals, etc.

Other issues that need to be considered by the joint committee:

* Cost of the vaccines

* Clearance of the vaccines by the BOC without delays, tax and duty exempt

* Special areas must be assigned at airports for flights carrying vaccines

* Cost of storage and distribution of vaccines

* Transportation equipment

* Logistic hubs

* Distribution tracking and security

* LGUs have to become partners in effective distribution!

* And many more …

As can be seen from this article, the supply chain issues of the vaccines need to be addressed by government and the involved private sector NOW. If not, the Philippines may have access to vaccines but will be unable to handle them, which would be disastrous for the Filipinos who need them badly.

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