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CDC, UPS deliver temperature-sensitive flu vaccines to Laos

Nearly 100,000 influenza vaccines in prefilled syringes travel more than 5,000 miles in just three days, maintaining a 3° to 7° C temperature range.

Photo shows a flu vaccine shipment within a temperature-controlled container.
Photo shows a flu vaccine shipment within a temperature-controlled container.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coordinated a coalition of partners including UPS to transport nearly 100,000 prefilled syringes of flu vaccines to Laos that were administered in May, just in time for Southeast Asia's flu season.

This marks the second year of UPS’s involvement with the CDC to deliver vital flu vaccinations to those in need. In 2012, UPS transported 375,000 flu vaccines to Laos, which administered 90% of the vaccine among four provinces in Laos in just two weeks. Today, the vaccines are being administered to pregnant women and other adults with higher risk of serious flu-related health threats in Laos.

This year’s vaccine delivery involved bioCSL, an Australian firm that manufactures, in-licenses, markets, and distributes vaccines. The company’s Web site says it focuses on vaccines for the prevention and treatment of serious disease. “We operate one of the world’s largest influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities and supply seasonal influenza vaccines to Australia and global markets,” it reads.

Along with UPS and bioCSL, the U.S. Dept. of Defense and Becton, Dickinson and Company also served as donors in this project.

Dirk Van Peteghem, vice president, Healthcare Logistics, UPS, explains, "This particular healthcare logistics feat stretched 5,000 miles, and two continents, and was completed in just three days. A particular challenge in this case was that Laos is very remote, which added an additional layer of complexity to the shipment. In addition, the shipment had to maintain a temperature range of 3° to 7° C for the entire journey, which included air and ground transportation. This accomplishment is a testament to the effectiveness of our temperature-sensitive capabilities and global network.

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