THE Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) said the industry has more than enough capacity to store Covid-19 vaccines like AstraZeneca and Moderna, but has limited space for the Pfizer vaccine that must be stored at a temperature of -80°C.
CCAP President Anthony S. Dizon said storing vials needed to vaccinate 60 million Filipinos or even 100 million, would require fewer than 1,000 pallets as against the group’s cumulative capacity of 500,000 pallets.
The Philippines needs to vaccinate at least 60 million Filipinos to develop herd immunity against Covid-19.
However, Dizon explained that this capacity is applicable to vaccines manufactured by AstraZeneca, which require a 2°C to 8°C storage temperature and Moderna’s that needs -20°C temperature.
Based on the analysis made by CCAP, he pointed out that the industry has little capacity to store vaccines that require a temperature of -80°C, which is equivalent to the winter of Antarctica. The vaccines being manufactured by Pfizer and BioNTech require this storage condition.
Dizon explained that this problem is not unique to the Philippines but a global cold- chain problem, as even developed countries like the United States do not have enough capacity to store at -80°C.
“The question really is, what vaccine we are going to buy. Based on our analysis, even if we vaccinate 100 million Filipinos it will not affect the overall capacity of the cold -chain industry as long as we are talking about the vaccines of AstraZeneca and Moderna,” he told the BusinessMirror.
Dizon said the industry also has the sufficient technical capacity and infrastructure to create “hubs and spokes” for the Covid-19 storage and distribution system in the country, given that its 80 members are present nationwide.
Dizon said CCAP members are willing to convert their current cold storages, which caters mostly to food products, into vaccine store rooms.
Vaccines and food products cannot be kept in the same storage, he added.
Dialogue with government
Dizon’s group is seeking a dialogue with the government, especially with Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr., to be abreast of its Covid-19 vaccine roadmap or blueprint, particularly its distribution plan for the vaccine.
Knowing what vaccine the government will procure would help the industry make cost estimates, prepare ahead of time on the necessary logistics requirement.
He said CCAP has engaged with the transport sector and they received the assurance of logistics providers that they can provide enough reefer vans to transport Covid-19 vaccines, except that of Pfizer, owing apparently to its extra-cold storage requirement.
He pointed out that one critical matter to be addressed is the last storage stop for the vaccine, which would be the health center or hospitals where vaccination would take place.
This is important, Dizon said, to ensure that the cold-chain handling of the vaccine would not be broken to ensure its efficacy and proper storage.
“Vaccines requiring 2°C could be stored in styro boxes with ice, while those that need -20°C can be kept in chest-type freezers,” he said.
Dizon said the industry is also willing to share information with the government on the possible costs required to cover the cold chain and distribution management of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“We would like to share in the efforts [in solving this pandemic]. And we want to exchange information with the government on what challenges are expected in the distribution,” he said.
Zuellig expansion
Meanwhile, health-care provider Zuellig Pharma is expanding its cold-storage capabilities in Asia, including in the Philippines, to prepare for the stockpiling of Covid-19 vaccine.
In a statement on Wednesday, Zuellig Pharma said it is adding cold storages in its Asian markets over the next 12 months as it ramps up its capabilities for storage and distribution of vaccines. In the Philippines, Zuellig Pharma maintains capacity to store products at -20°C, and plans to purchase an additional 10 medical-grade freezers to bolster its existing capacity in -80°C storage.
Likewise, it will add five new cold chambers in the country, and one each in Cebu and Davao in January of next year. Zuellig Pharma also saw an opportunity in the opening of a new Metro Drug national distribution center in September in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The facility—25,000 square meters in size—is equipped with automation and energy-efficient functionalities, including 10,000 square meters of solar panels, LED intelligent lighting, as well as water-chilled cooling system.
The facility is also the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified warehouse. The certification is given by the United States Green Building Council to encourage the building of energy- and resource-efficient infrastructure which are healthy to live in.
Zuellig Pharma CEO John Graham said the firm is working with partners from both the public and private sectors for the necessary infrastructure to store Covid-19 vaccine.
“Covid-19 has severely tested our operations over these past few months, but it has also presented operations for transformational change at Zuellig Pharma. We are focusing on innovation to lead the transformation of the health-care system,” Graham explained.
“At the same time, we are working closely with governments, nongovernment organizations and manufacturers across the region to understand their needs and plan for the necessary logistical infrastructure in preparation for the Covid-19 vaccine,” he added.
Among the capabilities of Zuellig Pharma is its eZCooler. The equipment is an environment-friendly innovation that extends the storage time of temperature-sensitive products in transit to five days, from the usual two days.
The health-care multinational has 80 distribution centers in 13 countries across Asia.
With Elijah Felice Rosales