So that the vaccine gets safely from A to B.

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Chancellor Merkel recently raised hopes for a quick approval of a corona vaccine after video consultations with the EU heads of state and government. In the USA, the companies Biontech and Pfizer are applying for emergency approval for their vaccine. Perhaps this year the first people can be vaccinated. But such a sensitive good must first of all get safely from the producer to the recipient.

Not an easy task for the transport industry and transport insurers: the upcoming distribution of the corona vaccine. Because they have to bring a valuable and sensitive good to its destination successfully – and possibly even guard the transport.

Corona has massively changed the business of transport companies. “A container full of breathing masks is suddenly becoming a luxury item,” reports Torben Siegmund, Head of Transport at Kravag Insurance. With the corona vaccine, this reaches another dimension. The serum is not only many times more valuable than the protective equipment, it is also particularly sensitive. In the case of medicines, even a small damage to the packaging leads to a total loss. If in doubt, the entire load must be destroyed.

Avoid any interruption of the cold chain

But that’s not the only danger. In addition to an accident, the risks also include, for example, the interruption of the cold chain or theft. “Therefore, special safety precautions must be taken for the transport of the corona vaccine. Only then can such values ​​be insured at all, ”says Siegmund. “The carriers cannot take the risk alone.”

Only distribute the vaccine using special refrigerated trucks

Kravag’s customers also include specialists in pharmaceutical transports – securing them is part of Siegmund’s day-to-day business. The special insurer has suitable security concepts ready for these transports: Of course, the vaccine may only be distributed using special refrigerated transporters, the temperature of which is constantly monitored. Appropriate security technology such as GPS tracking and sensors are also required.

In order to protect the load, the trucks are not allowed to leave their route; stopovers are only allowed in guarded parking lots. In addition, the vans must be manned by two drivers so that the vehicle is never left unattended. “If it turns out that there is a particular risk of theft for the vaccine, an escort vehicle might even be necessary,” explains Siegmund.

So far, there are still some unanswered questions

Many questions are still open. “So far we do not know where the vaccines are made or where they are being transported. For example, it depends on whether interim storage is required. It is also unclear when distribution will begin and whether further vaccines will be approved for which completely different criteria apply, ”says Siegmund.

What: R + V

Author (s): Insurance magazine

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