Pfizer’s Efforts At COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturing And Distribution

In its efforts at manufacturing and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer draws upon one of the most sophisticated supply chain systems in the industry, spanning over 40 sites and a worldwide network of over 200 suppliers.

Pfizer is activating an extensive European and US manufacturing network, to produce its Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Under current estimates, the company expects to manufacture up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.

In terms of distribution, Pfizer is adopting a strategy based on a flexible just-in-time system that will ship frozen vials of the vaccine to the point of vaccination. Shipments will largely occur directly from Pfizer’s sites in Kalamazoo and Puurs to the point of use (POU), but the company’s distribution centres in Pleasant Prairie, USA and Karlsruhe, Germany will also come into play.

To support its cold chain distribution strategy, Pfizer has designed temperature-controlled thermal shipping containers using dry ice to maintain recommended temperature conditions for up to 10 days unopened. Using road and air transportation from Pfizer’s main carrier partners, delivery should happen within a day or two in the US, and within three days globally.

Reference: “MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE,” Pfizer