One of the largest commercial estates in the United Arab Emirates, KIZAD, says its amenities will play a key role in the country’s Covid-19 vaccine distribution strategy when it is fully implemented.
Emirati officials expect to see a vaccine on the global market until the end of this year or early 2021.
Effective vaccine distribution in the region and around the world will require massive logistical effort, as chain-of-origin operators are likely to face complex challenges.
As one of the world’s leading logistics centers and geographic location, the UAE is expected to play a role in the global distribution of a vaccine.
KIZAD is home to many businesses and has expanded since the pandemic hit as demand for food and medical supplies increased.
“KIZAD will continue to play a role in the government’s [medical strategy],” said Mohamed Gharib, VICE President of KIZAD.
“When there was a shortage of masks and disinfectants, we brought suppliers here as soon as you could imagine to supply what the market needed. So when it’s time to distribute a vaccine to the United Arab Emirates, we’re there. KIZAD is always ready. “
Gharib said it is vital that the organization remains agile and in a constant state of preparedness to help the government if necessary.
“During Covid, we discovered that almost all of our warehouses had been leased to meet the nation’s pharmaceutical and food safety requirements. Many warehouses in KIZAD have played a key role in maintaining pharmaceutical and food safety. “
He said KIZAD is about to lease his third chain of warehouses, about 470,000 feet.
“The good news is that even before it was delivered, it was rented 100 percent,” Gharib added.
The chain of origin has recently been asked to work with governments to prepare for a vaccine distribution mission.
Alexandre de Juniac, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), described the task of distributing a vaccine as “the project of the century for the global air transport industry”.
Dr. Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “Effective delivery of billions of vaccines internationally will involve incredibly complex logistical and programmatic barriers in the chain of origin. “
Vaccines must be treated and transported in accordance with foreign regulatory requirements, at controlled temperatures and without retention to ensure product quality.
While there are still many unknowns (number of doses, sensitivities to temperatures, production sites, etc. ), it is transparent that the scale of activity will be extensive, that bloodless chain installations will be extensive and that delivery to all corners of the planet will be required.