The logistics industry is facing its greatest challenge ever as it prepares for the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, says Sapics (Southern Africa’s Professional Body for Supply Chain Management) president Keabetswe Mpane.
“Pfizer’s vaccine, for example, must be kept especially cold – frozen at -70 degrees Celsius. It will reportedly require ultra-cold freezers or dry ice for refilling specialised delivery containers.”
While President Cyril Ramaphosa has not specified which vaccine South Africa has secured for delivery, Mpane points out that the doses will need to get to hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities around the country quickly and with their safety and efficacy uncompromised by improper handling, storage and transport. “The last mile poses the greatest supply chain challenge,” she says.
“Focused manpower development will be critical for the successful last-mile distribution of the vaccine. We need to consider the knowledge and skills of everyone involved in every stage of the vaccine’s transit, from the storage and distribution personnel to ancillary workers like truck drivers. Everyone handling the vaccine during its lifecycle must be trained in the basics of its storage and temperature control requirements to ensure that nothing is left to chance.”
And the vaccine itself is only part of the challenge. There are secondary supply chains that will be vital too, she points out. “Think of the millions of syringes needed to administer the vaccine. We will need as many syringes as doses of vaccine. We will need safety boxes for used syringes. Nurses giving the vaccine shots will need more alcohol wipes, masks and gloves. Supply chains that were stretched and strained during the early stages of the pandemic with the distribution of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) may not be ready for the vaccine distribution challenges.
“The ultimate success of South Africa’s vaccine programme will depend on effective, robust and resilient supply chains and skilled, suitably qualified supply chain professionals,” says Mpane.