The development of a vaccine against COVID-19 is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited news of all. Several pharmaceutical companies around the world are currently testing it and we all hope that it will not take long to make it a reality.

The safe distribution of COVID-19 vaccines will be the most important mission for the global cargo industry this century. These specific vaccines need to be handled and transported under strict temperature-controlled parameters that maintain an adequate cold chain and must be done with the necessary speed to guarantee their quality.

This situation will require the availability of temperature-controlled facilities and equipment, the availability of trained professionals to deal with highly sensitive material, as well as surveillance resources to ensure the integrity of the vaccines. Even some of the cameras for storing these tiny glass vials will require temperatures as low as those of a severe winter.

Some specialists say that the first loads will need to be transported in atypical conditions for a vaccine, about -20°C or even -80°C. This requirement represents a huge challenge, as the usual storage temperature for vaccines is between 2 and 8°C. Similarly, transport vehicles must also have insulated boxes with dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide), capable of maintaining this climate for up to 96 hours, so as to ensure that doses are not compromised.

It will be a challenge. In many cases, vaccines will have to be moved from one continent to another, as well as passing through several distribution centres before reaching hospitals.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently about 170 vaccines in development, with 30 in the clinical trials phase. Not all of them need to be stored at -80°C; the less fragile ones could maintain their effectiveness even at higher temperatures. Because of this heterogeneity, the logistical challenge will be even greater.

The awareness of the importance of logistic processes in the face of the crisis generated by the coronavirus aims not only to generate an effective management in the distribution chain, but also to ensure that the union of forces can minimize the negative impacts for all in this unprecedented scenario.

In response to the pandemic, many logistics companies are contributing and joining efforts in different parts of the world to distribute large volumes of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and alcohol, as well as coronavirus test kits and equipment for intensive care units.

Clover Venezuela is one of these companies that have already been working on the logistics of these cargoes, including humanitarian aid shipments during this pandemic that affects us all. We are mobilized to help mitigate the impact of the spread of COVID-19 among the most vulnerable people. With these actions, we have a decisive role to play in overcoming the crisis, always under the principles of solidarity, commitment and planning.