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Logistics that save lives

Playing an essential role in safeguarding public health, logistics operations get life-saving vaccines into the arms of the people who need protection the most.

Impact of vaccine logistics on public health and the pharmaceutical industry

Learn about the intricacies of vaccine logistics and the importance of immunisation supply chains, particularly transporting the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for mRNA vaccines. We spotlight the complex challenges of distributing vaccines for tropical diseases.

Ensuring the seamless flow of life-saving vaccines worldwide often means ore efficient logistics processes. When the pharmaceutical industry partners with a logistics service provider early in the research and development phase of a vaccine’s life cycle, it benefits from accelerated time to market.

The transportation of vaccines and APIs for mRNA vaccines presents many challenges. APIs and vaccines can be highly sensitive and often require specialized handling while being shipped.

Challenges in vaccine supply chain management

Best practices

  • Vaccine distribution hubs: Distribution hubs are integral to the success of immunization supply chains and vaccine logistics; they provide:

  • Centralized coordination: Distribution hubs serve as central points for receiving, storing, and dispatching vaccines.

  • Strategic locations: Strategically located hubs can optimise the geographical coverage of vaccine distribution and deliver to remote areas in a timely manner. Many vaccine manufacturers use our hubs in Singapore, Memphis, and Belgium for distribution in Asia Pacific, the US and Europe.

  • Vaccine cold-chain management: Many vaccines, especially those with sensitive components such as mRNA, require precise temperature control for vaccine efficacy.

  • Quality control and assurance: Rigorous checks are carried out on incoming and outgoing shipments so products meet the required standards and stability risks are managed.

  • Visibility and control: 24/7 security and monitoring ensure customers have real-time visibility into product movements throughout the supply chain. This transparency is crucial for monitoring inventory levels and ensuring products are shipped based on shelf life.

  • Emergency response: Centralized hubs allow for quicker mobilisation of vaccine supplies to areas affected by disease outbreaks or other health crises.

Case study: distribution of vaccines against a viral mosquito-borne tropical disease

Globalization, air travel, and urbanisation have contributed to the global transmission of life-threatening tropical diseases to new areas, such as continental Europe. When there is no specific antiviral treatment for potentially deadly diseases, a preventative vaccine is the best public health policy.

BackgroundChallengeSolutions
A leading vaccine manufacturer needs to distribute vaccines globally to some of the world’s most remote areas.
Temperature control and delivery to remote locations. Continuous cold chain and other stringent requirements must be adhered to, ensuring vaccine efficiency is preserved at all times. Approvals to administer the vaccine come in rapidly, resulting in new markets and the need for a seamless vaccine distribution plan.
The customer approved Kuehne+Nagel’s 2° to 8°C facility in Geel, Belgium, as the vaccine's global distribution hub and the -20°C warehouse in Liege, Belgium, for storing the semi-finished product. Global air transportation has been secured for all vaccine shipments, and Kuehne+Nagel’s European Healthcare fleet will deliver vaccines to southern Europe.