GMR Hyderabad, Dubai Airport collaborate for worldwide distribution of Covid-19 vaccine

Besides Bharat Biotech, another two Hyderabad-based vaccine makers Hetero Biopharma and Biological E Limited are in the global vaccine race making GMR Hyderabad, which is the only international airport in Telangana, as the centrepiece of global Covid-19 vaccine distribution network.

Hyderabad: As the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval for ‘restricted use’ of the city-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, GMR Hyderabad International Airport has put its best foot forward to transport the life-saving vaccine to global customers.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited and GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GMR-HYD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Airport, which is a major transit hub in West Asia, to build an exclusive vaccine air freight corridor, said a press release.

Known as ‘HYDXB-VAXCOR’ (‘Hyderabad to Dubai global Vaccine Corridor), the MoU will facilitate using each other’s facilities for a seamless moment of Covid-19 vaccines.

“The Partnership also entails Technology Collaboration, under which both the entities will explore and work together on an Integrated IT Solution that will provide End-to-End Visibility including Shipment Temperature and Status Tracking… during its onwards journey to various global destinations,” added the press release.

Besides Bharat Biotech, another two Hyderabad-based vaccine makers Hetero Biopharma and Biological E Limited are in the global vaccine race making GMR Hyderabad, which is the only international airport in Telangana, as the centrepiece of global Covid-19 vaccine distribution network.

While Hetero has signed an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to manufacture 10 crore Sputnik V vaccines per annum, Biological E Limited’s vaccine is undergoing trails.

Logistics challenge

Since the Covid-19 vaccines are temperature sensitive, their safe moment is full of challenges. Besides, different temperature requirements for different vaccines makes the challenge even more complex.

For instance, Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield require 2-8 degree Celsius, Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, which is undergoing government’s scrutiny for emergency use, needs to be stored at the extremely low temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius.

“Hyderabad Air Cargo has a major role cut out in the entire value chain of vaccine shipments to maintain the vaccine integrity. The COVID-19 vaccines require specialized handling, which are readily available at GMR Hyderabad Cargo,” SGK Kishore, Executive Director, South & Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Airports told ETV Bharat.

During the dry runs, the GMR Airport has put in place and tested the equipment like temperature data loggers, humidity sensors, dual view tunnel X-ray screening machines and critical processes like weighing, customs examination, screening, and transportation to aircraft.

“We have 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 WHO-GSDP (World Health Organization – Good Storage and Distribution Practices) certified facility,” said the airport authorities.