Iata calls for planning to start for distribution of Covid-19 vaccines

25th September 2020

By: Rebecca Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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The International Air Transport Association (Iata) – the representative body of the global airline industry – has urged governments to start planning now for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, when they become available. This planning should include the air transport sector as well as other stakeholders. Air cargo has long played a crucial role in the distribution of vaccines by means of systems that are time and temperature sensitive, and well-established worldwide. These networks and systems will be essential for the rapid and efficient distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, when they are released for use.

“Safely delivering Covid-19 vaccines will be the mission of the century for the global air cargo industry,” highlighted Iata director- general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. “But it won’t happen without careful advance planning. And the time for that is now. We urge governments to take the lead in facilitating cooperation across the logistics chain so that the facilities, security arrangements and border processes are ready for the mammoth and complex task ahead.”

“Delivering billions of doses of vaccine to the entire world efficiently will involve hugely complex logistical and programmatic obstacles all the way along the supply chain,” stressed vaccine alliance Gavi CEO Dr Seth Berkley. “We look forward to working together with government, vaccine manufacturers and logistical partners to ensure an efficient global roll-out of a safe and affordable Covid-19 vaccine.”

Global air cargo capacity has declined as a result of the pandemic, with many airliners – which carry lots of cargo in their belly holds – ‘parked’ in long-term storage at remote locations, Iata pointed out. In parallel, airlines have downsized their networks. The global air transport route network is now “dramatically” smaller than it was before Covid-19. As a result, the World Health Organisation and other agencies and organisations had already reported “severe difficulties” in maintaining their planned vaccine programmes.

The transport of vaccines must be done in compliance with strict international regulations, including the maintenance of controlled temperatures and the avoidance of delays. Because of their importance and value, vaccines must be protected from tampering and theft. And they must benefit from efficient health and border processes at airports and other border-crossing points.

Iata was calling for special measures to be put into place to facilitate Covid-19 vaccine distribution flights. These should include accelerated procedures for granting landing or overflight permits for vaccine delivery flights, allowing temporary air traffic rights for vaccine flights in cases where restrictions might apply, and prioritising the handling of vaccine shipments on their arrival, to avoid delays and possible temperature ‘excursions’.

In addition, freighter aircraft crews should be exempted from quarantine rules in order to maintain the vaccine supply chains. Operating hour curfews at airports should be lifted with regard to vaccine flights to help set up the most flexible global delivery network. And governments should consider lifting or reducing tariffs to help the distribution of the vaccines.

“The whole world is eagerly awaiting a safe Covid vaccine,” affirmed United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) executive director Henrietta Fore. “It is incumbent on all of us to make sure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to the initial doses when they are available. As the lead agency for the procurement and supply of the Covid vaccine on behalf of the COVAX facility, UNICEF will be leading what could possibly be the world’s largest and fastest operation ever. The role of airlines and international transport companies will be critical to this endeavour.”

The scale of an operation to distribute Covid-19 vaccines would be enormous. To supply just one dose each to 7.8-billion people would require the entire cargo holds of 8 000 Boeing 747 freighter aircraft.

“Even if we assume that half the needed vaccines can be transported by land, the air cargo industry will still face its largest single transport challenge ever,” emphasised De Juniac. “In planning their vaccine programmes, particularly in the developing world, governments must take very careful consideration of the limited air cargo capacity that is available at the moment. If borders remain closed, travel curtailed, fleets grounded and employees furloughed, the capacity to deliver life-saving vaccines will be very much compromised.”

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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