Airports gear up for Covid vaccine distribution

Airports around the country are gearing up to play their part in the timely distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine to a larger population. Major airports are employing temperature-controlled facilities and tying up with logistical chains to ensure proper handling and delivery of the temperature-sensitive cargo.

New Delhi: As India prepares itself for the launch of vaccines for Covid-19, major airports are gearing up to disseminate them quickly to a larger population. Commenting on the ongoing efforts, New Delhi's IGI airport on Tuesday said it has two cargo terminals with GDP (Good Distribution Practice)- a certified temperature-controlled facility for handling temperature-sensitive cargo.

"Both the cargo terminals have world-class infrastructure with GDP certified temperature-controlled facilities for handling temperature-sensitive cargo. The temperature-controlled cargo facilities have a capacity to handle over 1.5 lakh MT per annum. These facilities have state-of-the-art temperature-controlled zones with separate cool chambers ranging from +25°C to -20°C," Delhi airport spokesperson told ETV Bharat.

To handle temperature-controlled containers, the terminals are provided with an adequate number of charging points. There are also cool dollies at airside for movement of temperature-sensitive cargo to and from terminals to the aircrafts to ensure unbroken cool chain.

Delhi airport spokesperson said that the airport is also working along with other stakeholders in the supply chain including pharma companies, airlines, temperature-controlled facilities suppliers, forwarders, temperature-controlled facilities providers for efficient, reliable and uninterrupted services to the end-users.

Over the last decade, India has emerged as a global pharmaceuticals and vaccine hub producing about 60% of the world's vaccines. Out of this proportion, Hyderabad, the pharma hub, has the capacity to be the formidable producer of over a third of global vaccine supply.

Experts opine that the city will be an integral part of the Covid-19 solution by virtue of its robust manufacturing technology and capacity to manufacture millions of doses as per the best in class industry practices. However, developing the vaccine is only half the problem. Distributing them worldwide will be a logistical challenge on an unimaginable scale.

In a statement to ETV Bharat, GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo spokesperson said, "GHAC has a well established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in place for acceptance screening and handling of vaccines as per required temperature conditions. The pharma zone of the terminal is a World Health Organisation-Good Storage and Distribution Practices certified facility.

"As per the industry insights, most of India's vaccine export will be to Africa, Latin America, and Asian destinations. Ingredients may be obtained from Europe and few other regions. Hyderabad is all set to emerge as a major port once the key manufacturers succeed with the various human trials which are in progress," told GHAC spokesperson.

Mumbai airport, on the other hand, said that it plans to deploy a dedicated ko Covid task force to facilitate advance planning and collaboration between the airport and all stakeholders in this process such as the airline customers, supply chain partners, regulatory and governmental bodies, vaccine distributors amongst others.

"In line with our business model and cost leadership strategy, we are happy to evaluate the shipment of the Covid-19 vaccines on board our aircraft and will promise to contribute to the best of our abilities," said an IndiGo spokesperson.

Earlier, SpiceJet had announced its partnership with Om Logistics Limited and Snowman Logistics for movement of temperature-sensitive Covid-19 vaccine.

SpiceJet's cargo arm, SpiceXpress, had recently introduced a new specialised service called Spice Pharma Pro, which has the capability to transport extremely sensitive drugs, vaccines, blood samples and medicines in controlled temperatures ranging from -40°C to +25°C.