Tracking the links in the Covid-19 vaccine supply chain

It’s been difficult to pin down how the supply chain for a widely disseminated Covid-19 vaccine might materialize. That seems to be taking shape, however, STAT’s Ed Silverman writes. But the devil’s in the details: There’s been a worldwide effort, for instance, to ramp up production of temperature-controlled storage containers — which are critical to keep the inoculations in optimal condition.

Vaccine makers are feverishly modeling transportation routes and storage conditions in many countries. Wholesalers are lining up warehouse space and trucks. And freight forwarders and airport managers are doubling down on security for what will soon be the world’s hottest commodity.

“I’m more than 30 years in the business and thought I’d seen everything, but it’s an uncharted situation for all of us,” one supply chain expert told STAT.