Alum organises secure distribution of millions of doses of Covid vaccine
KTH alumnus Niklas Adamsson, Chief Operating Officer at cold chain transport company Envirotainer, explains about the challenges of distributing a temperature sensitive vaccine to different continents.
Roughly how many doses of Covid vaccine have been shipped out into the world by you from Stockholm to date during the pandemic?
“So far, we have distributed around 55 million doses of Covid vaccine in different parts of the world. This figure is increasing every day – we have 6,500 active cold chain containers for air freight.”
What are the biggest risks with these shipments?
“Delays are the biggest risk, as the logistics are highly complex. These can concern possible interruptions to vaccine production or a delay in official approval. Planning is also affected by the fact that the vaccine is being sent very long distances, such as from Asia to Latin America or from Europe to Australia.
“It is incredibly important that all parts of the logistics chain work together in the best possible ways. This includes authorities, vaccine manufacturers, shipping companies, airlines and container suppliers.”
What do you see as the most exciting thing about delivery operations moving forwards?
“Size. The world has never seen this kind of global logistics operation before. Every person in every corner of the world needs to have a vaccine delivered to them. And that we as a Swedish company are playing a critical role in this global battle, this feels incredibly exciting.”
What are you most proud of when it comes to what your company is doing?
“That we are helping to make a difference. In addition to the distribution of Covid vaccines, we also distribute over 130,000 pallets of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals and vaccines every year.”
Katarina Ahlfort
Foto: Envirotainer