‘Corona 19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca vaccine requires two doses, and as a result of initial data analysis of the phase 3 clinical trial, the vaccine’s preventive effect was 70-90% depending on the method of administration. yunhap news
As the vaccination of a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) is approaching a month in the future, there is high interest in the distribution process of the vaccine from overseas to delivery to the country. In particular, in the process of distribution of the influenza (flu) vaccine last year, some were exposed to room temperature, raising concerns, so more attention is needed for safe distribution of the Corona 19 vaccine.
Logistics industry, a month ahead of vaccination
“Complete construction of cold chain through simulation test”
“There will be no room temperature exposure like last summer”
Logistics company is simulating distribution of corona vaccine
According to the drug distribution and logistics industry on the 17th, companies have entered a fierce competition for orders under water, and it is known that they are conducting simulated transport tests internally. Director Park Ki-jeong, who met at the Dongtan Pharmaceutical Center of CJ Logistics, said, “There are several companies’ names related to the distribution of corona vaccines, but no one can affirm it.” 19 In preparation for the possibility of vaccine transport, he said he is conducting simulations several times a day.
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In the case of national vaccination projects, it is common for large drug distributors to reconsign them to logistics companies to deliver local delivery after obtaining a government bid. Influenza vaccine last year was ordered by a company that did not have a nationwide distribution network and a division was formed. In order to meet the urgent delivery schedule of the vaccine, they neglected the cold chain, which had to keep the vaccine below a certain temperature.
Logistics companies believe that the distribution of the Corona 19 vaccine is more important than ever, so the distribution will be carried out by a transport company with secured pharmaceutical expertise. Green Cross Labcell (pharmaceutical company), Julik Pharma, Geoyoung (drug distribution company), CJ Logistics, Yongmar Logis, Korea Express (pharmaceutical distribution company), etc. are mentioned as candidates. These companies see the vaccine cold chain as a fight against external temperatures. The vaccine must be kept at a constant low temperature throughout the distribution.
Comparison of domestically introduced COVID-19 vaccine. Graphic = Reporter Jaemin Shin [email protected]
AstraZeneca should be maintained at 2~8℃ even below zero.
Cold chain refers to a distribution process in which products that are subject to deformation or damage depending on temperature are kept at a constant low temperature. If exposure to room temperature occurs, the effectiveness of the vaccine may decrease. The storage and distribution conditions for the Corona 19 vaccine are -70 degrees for Pfizer products, and -20 degrees for the Modena vaccine. The vaccine, which is highly likely to be vaccinated at the end of February in Korea, is AstraZeneca and has a storage and distribution condition of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. However, in the process of moving AstraZeneca’s vaccine to the hospital, clinic, and health center, which are the final delivery destinations after getting off the vehicle, it is not an easy task to maintain the video 2-8 degrees.
“After all, refrigerant and packaging (special container) are important to maintain the temperature required by the vaccine for a long time,” said Lee Ho-kwan, quality assurance manager of CJ Logistics. It is important.” For example, even if the temperature outside the vehicle falls below zero in winter, the temperature inside the AstraZeneca packaging must be maintained at 2 to 8 degrees, and for this, the temperature inside the transport vehicle must be maintained at a constant temperature (12 to 28 degrees).
Yongma Logis, a logistics subsidiary of Dong-A Socio Holdings, recently conducted a simulation test for vaccine distribution with Samsung SDS, a logistics and IT solution company, and Korea Cryogenics, which has a cryogenic warehouse. In particular, an official from Yongma Logis said, “We have built a cold chain that can deliver vaccines while maintaining the conditions of -20 to 70 degrees Celsius when using special containers,” regarding Pfizer or Moder or vaccines, which are difficult to transport.
Supply schedule for each COVID-19 vaccine. Graphic = Younghee Kim [email protected]
“Government must hurry to select vaccine carrier”
However, in the related industry, the delivery of vaccines should start at least in the middle of next month, but he expressed frustration, saying that the government’s response was late. An official who requested anonymity said, “Most companies are in a situation where they need to add corona vaccine delivery to their existing delivery volume.” “There is no detailed instructions on how to select a vaccine carrier, and how long and when the delivery will be, so it is vaguely prepared. I’m doing it.”
Meanwhile, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established a plan that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will be responsible for transporting the Corona 19 vaccine from overseas to Korea, and the Ministry of Defense for storing and distributing the vaccine. However, it is expected that the drug distribution and logistics industry will be supported by the Ministry of Defense to deliver the Corona 19 vaccine nationwide. In a briefing last week, Director of the Disease Administration, Chung Eun-kyung, said, “We are considering receiving a plan from the industry on how to safely inoculate four vaccines.” “It seems difficult to solve it with one or two companies, so we discussed creating an integrated distribution center or logistics system. There is.”
Reporters Baek Min-jeong and Lee Byeong-jun [email protected]