As the current health crisis persists, many are eagerly anticipating the release of a viable vaccine. Medical professionals and biopharmaceutical companies are working around the clock in order to be ready to safely – and efficiently – deliver vaccines to 300 million Americans next year.

The U.S. is accustomed to transporting vaccines in large volumes for flu protection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply as many as 194 to 198 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2020-2021 season.

While that number of vaccinations at scale is impressive in its own right, the COVID-19 vaccine will likely have many differentiators. It may require multiple doses taken in specifically timed increments.  Refrigeration and temperature control conditions will also need to be considered, as storage temperatures for the COVID-19 vaccine are much colder than the average flu vaccine. Health officials will also need to prioritize who gets the vaccine and in what order – and how to simultaneously distribute it across the country. And security concerns will need to be addressed well before the vaccine leaves the manufacturer.

With so many variables, the transportation strategy must be approached with precision and accuracy. Any small misstep could be the difference between a lost, delayed, or damaged delivery and a successful inoculation. Executing this transportation properly can save lives.

On the road: what does vaccine transport look like?

The CDC has carefully developed a precise protocol for storing, handling, and distributing the flu vaccine. Because so much of the COVID-19 vaccine is still largely unknown and undefined, it is difficult to predict how best to prepare the logistics component of travel and delivery.  

However, by knowing what we know about vaccine transport etiquette and the pharma industry, we can accurately gauge four key considerations that may present challenges when transporting the COVID-19 vaccine:

1. Timing: There are 100 million Americans at high risk of infection because of their work, age, or health. While there has been a lot of discussion about who will receive the vaccine first, initial supplies look like they will cover only a fraction of the high-priority groups. With that in mind, the vaccine will likely be distributed in four phases. Officials and advisors are also considering how to prioritize people who don’t work in healthcare but have important jobs in food production and supply chain.

2. Tracking: To ensure the transportation and delivery of vaccines are being executed properly, it is likely that trucks and cargo planes will be tracked. Vaccine manufacturers are turning to GPS software for tracking distribution and plan to employ the use of empty so-called dummy trucks to throw off thieves, according to The Wall Street Journal. Air carriers have begun to prepare for new temperature-monitoring systems to track future vaccine shipments.

3. Support: While the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will coordinate U.S. vaccine distribution, large shipping and logistics companies will likely be called upon to help. Vaccine makers are already in talks with delivery companies with plans to purchase vast amounts of cargo space in preparation for distribution. Pharmaceutical companies are considering tasking drones to deliver vaccines in remote areas since many rural regions lack adequate infrastructure to support traditional delivery methods.

4. Security: Shipping companies, distribution centers, and destinations will need to develop new protocol to ensure the vaccines will be protected and secure throughout the entire journey: this includes from the time it leaves the manufacturer to the moment it reaches each person for inoculation. There’s also speculation that U.S. marshals will be sent to accompany shipments of vaccines once they are ready for immediate distribution. Glassmakers are even adding black-light verification to vials so as to curb counterfeiting efforts.

The future of transportation and logistics

Due to the scale and scope, it’s clear there are several potential hurdles to consider when transporting the COVID-19 vaccine. While the size of this undertaking is largely unprecedented, it does present several opportunities for business growth and new efficiencies in the transportation and logistics space. PPE manufacturers and pharma companies have recently had a wake-up call to adapt and modernize to the changing times. Now is the time to revisit the tried and true supply chain processes and optimize them for future success.

With so much on the line, approaching the logistics of vaccine transport with tactical precision is key. Just like when developing the vaccine itself or completing a treatment or procedure – there is no room for error in the delivery and synchronization of transport. Every day, pharma strives for complete focus and accuracy – and each logistical aspect needs to mirror that mindset in order to be successful.