Rolling out Covid-19 vaccines, which require long-term storage at -70°C or even -20 °C, on a global scale will require enormous expansion in the capacity of the global cold chain – and along with it, vast expenditure.While many say this offers countries – especially in the developing world – the opportunity to finally address long-neglected investments in their cold chains, there is also advice against investing just for the sake of it.Sean Petzer of TOWER Cold Chain Solutions says in Africa in particular one must guard against implementing solutions that are financially and environmentally inefficient.“Pharmaceutical companies have been working to get the Covid vaccine to market as soon as possible, but that requires ultra-low temperatures in order to keep them stable until use. We forecast that as research and development continue, the need for ultra-low temperatures will become null and void as the vaccines become more stable.”Already the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored and transported long term at regular fridge temperatures of between 2°C and 8°C.Distribution of vaccines that require ultra-low temperatures is an exceptionally complex undertaking. In a first-world country it comes with great challenges. In the developing world even more so. Not to mention that the topic of refrigeration immediately raises environmental questions.“Solutions need to be sustainable – both financially and environmentally,” says Petzer. “We recommend that companies look at solutions that can be repurposed when the need for ultra-low temperatures drops. Countries need to carefully strategise what their vaccine requirement is and then invest accordingly, but making sure the infrastructure can be adapted or repurposed at some point in the future.”Another option is infrastructure that is short term, in other words rented. “Renting containers that can be taken down to -70°C and used as refrigerators on site makes financial sense,” Petzer explains.
