With some of the coronavirus vaccine trials around the world in their final stages, Indian airports and airlines have been prepared to handle the distribution of temperature-sensitive vaccines in the country.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and GMR Hyderabad Airport Cargo are destined to play a pivotal role in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines as they are equipped with the state-of-the-art time and temperature sensitive delivery system.
“Delhi Airport has two cargo terminals with a world-class infrastructure that provides a GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certified temperature control facility for handling temperature sensitive cargo. With the capacity to handle more than 1.5 lakh MT per year, this facility has state-of-the-art temperature-controlled zones with separate cold rooms ranging from 25 to -20 degrees Celsius, which would be extremely conducive to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. ” said a spokesman for Delhi International Airport Limited.
“There are Cool Dollies in the area of operations that ensure an uninterrupted cold chain during the movement of temperature sensitive cargo between the terminal and the aircraft. The terminals have separate doors dedicated for the rapid movement of vehicles carrying vaccines in and out. from the airport, “he added.
Emphasis has been placed on the rapid and efficient transportation and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines whenever available.
GMR Hyderabad Airport said the terminal is equipped with various temperatures ranging from -20 to 25 degrees Celsius with state-of-the-art equipment and cold containers to meet specific product requirements.
“GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GHAC) boasts of having India’s first pharmaceutical zone with a GDP certified temperature controlled facility for temperature sensitive cargo handling … Cargo parking stalls are only 50 meters from the terminal, which minimizes the exposure time of the ramp and ensures a quick turn of the aircraft.
“We have recently launched the latest Cool Dollies, which is a mobile air transport refrigeration unit designed to eliminate any temperature variation and keep the cold chain uninterrupted. The GHAC also has one of the largest cold container storage facilities. from India such as Envirotainer, C-Safe, Unicooler and Vaqtainer within our facilities to make sure the service is available to the customer 24×7, “said Hyderabad Airport.
A SpiceJet official said the airline is fully prepared and ready to handle the COVID-19 vaccine.
The airline spokesman said the airline has extensive experience in the past and already carries blood samples, which require a temperature-controlled environment.
“Today we have the installation of both our aircraft and our ground support vehicles. We have sufficient capacity to meet the increased demand for COVID-19 vaccine shipments and we have prepared the capacity with the future in mind. been transporting the vaccine shipments to various national and international destinations, “the SpiceJet spokesperson told ANI.
“Transporting these shipments requires cold chain facilities. SpiceXpress offers freight shipping with a controlled ambient temperature between 25 degrees C and -40 degrees Celsius. The service is suitable for sensitive medications, vaccines and blood samples and with the added protection of blankets in the world-class active RKN and RAP containers, “said the SpiceJet spokesperson.
Medical experts have said that the next coronavirus vaccine will require specific cold storage and controlled temperatures.
.
