Pharma.Aero conducts review of air cargo industry in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

Approximately six months since the beginning of the global COVID-19 vaccines distribution exercise, Pharma.Aero – the cross-industry collaboration platform for cargo industry stakeholders – has conducted a retrospective performance review of the air cargo industry in the initial distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The review collated insights from Pharma.Aero members on the measures undertaken, the hands-on experience and the lessons learned from the initial handling and transportation of the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as from pharmaceutical shippers on how the air cargo industry has responded to the humanitarian task thus far.

The project aims to provide additional insights to heighten industry readiness as more COVID-19 vaccines are being manufactured and shipped worldwide, as well as for any new emergencies that may be ahead. 

The project revealed that the air cargo industry has performed generally well during the initial global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. From the membership survey and consultation, all member respondents have implemented new initiatives related to speed, reliability, security and transparency to improve on their handling and transportation of COVID-19 vaccine shipments.

Despite the initial affirmation from vaccine manufacturers, a collective call was made for the air cargo industry to maintain the current strong attention to details, high service levels and close partnerships that have been forged. 

Jaisey Yip, General Manager of Cargo and Logistics Development at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Vice Chairman of Pharma.Aero, said: “As more COVID-19 vaccine candidates receive approval and more doses are produced, working collectively with logistic partners in the supply chain, government agencies, vaccines manufacturers and the community to highlight potential problems, to share knowledge openly and to exchange lessons learned is key and will be even more so post-pandemic, in the face of growing pressure on air cargo.”