AstraZeneca Corona 19 Vaccine./Photo = Yonhap News
[포쓰저널=조혜승기자] Ahead of the COVID-19 vaccination, pharmaceutical companies and logistics companies related to vaccine distribution are in a hurry to prepare for signing a contract with the government.
According to the industry on the 20th, Yongma Logis, a logistics subsidiary of Dong-A Socio Holdings, recently conducted a simulation test for the distribution of vaccines with Samsung SDS and Korea Cryogenics, a low-temperature distribution system (cold chain) logistics company.
We examined whether the proper temperature was maintained during the process of transporting the vaccine stored in Korea Cryogenics by Yongma Logis and transferring it to the distribution center and inoculation center with a special vehicle of Samsung SDS’ distribution platform’Cello’.
Yongma Logis puts its advantage on constant-temperature delivery, which maintains the optimal quality of vaccines throughout the entire logistics process, including storage, sorting, and delivery.
Special equipment is installed on the vehicle to maintain the temperature according to each condition, such as room temperature, room temperature, refrigeration, and cold storage.
Pfizer and Modena vaccines require cryogenic storage at around -70 degrees Celsius and -20 degrees Celsius, respectively.
An official of Yongmar Logis said, “It has not been selected yet, but we are ready to distribute the vaccine.”
Cold chain is a logistics system that is essentially applied to the entire process of manufacturing, storage and distribution of foods and pharmaceuticals. This is a field of interest, as there was a precedent that caused public distrust in the wake of last year’s flu vaccine exposure to room temperature.
GC Green Cross Lab Cell is considered a promising vaccine distribution candidate with a drug distribution system.
It has a smart tag (R.FID) technology that enables tracking and management of product damage, appropriate temperature, and humidity during transportation. It is in charge of the government’s emergency transportation task.
Last year, Kyungnam Pharmaceutical signed a business agreement with HanulTIL, a vaccine cold chain solution company, to challenge vaccine distribution.
CJ Logistics is preparing for the transportation of the Corona 19 vaccine, including installing a vaccine cold chain system. We are pursuing a method of contracting and shipping with drug distributors.
CJ Logistics is already shipping vaccines in cooperation with global pharmaceutical companies. It transported 300,000 doses last year.
CJ Logistics is equipped with a hub center with a size of 3000 pyeong that has obtained the’Excellent Drug Distribution Management Standard (KGSP)’ certification at the Dongtan Logistics Center. There are also 11 regional centers dedicated to medicines nationwide. It is establishing and executing the’Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)’ required by global pharmaceutical companies.
It is explained that it has established a strict and detailed temperature management system such as the Cool Guardian System, Validation, and Calibration.
An official from CJ Logistics said, “We have been delivering over 200 units including a warehouse equipped with excellent drug distribution management standards (SP) in line with the networking of global pharmaceutical companies, and a specialized drug transport vehicle.”
Some point out that detailed government guidelines, such as precautions related to vaccine distribution and storage, should come out quickly.
An industry insider said, “Even if you have experience in distributing existing vaccines, the details of the corona 19 vaccine may have different shipping standards, so details must be provided.”
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyung said that the detailed vaccination plan, such as the targets for vaccination on the 4th, vaccination institutions, implementation standards, and adverse reaction management system, will be announced within this month after deliberation and resolution by the vaccination expert committee.
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