Health authorities, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are storing Covid-19 vaccines in secure, undisclosed locations and taking other steps to protect the shots against a looming threat: theft.
As the leading vaccine candidates advance closer to use, vaccine makers such as Pfizer are deploying GPS software for tracking distribution and plotting fake shipments in dummy trucks to confuse criminals. Glassmaker Corning is equipping vials with black-light verification to curb counterfeiting. And some hospitals expected to be among the first vaccination sites are beefing up their pharmacies’ security systems.
The government has arranged for U.S. marshals to accompany shipments of vaccines, which are currently stored at undisclosed locations, once the shots are authorized for distribution. Despite such measures, logistics specialists worry the shots could be vulnerable to theft at weak links in the supply chain, such as distribution centers, truck stops and hospitals with lax security.
Though drugmakers have been producing doses, initial supplies are expected to be limited, making any shot a coveted commodity. Industry experts are concerned they could be intercepted by sophisticated criminals, foreign governments or individuals eager to get vaccines before prioritized groups. Over the past 5 years, world-wide incidents such as theft and counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products rose nearly 70%.
Classroom discussion questions:
- Why will this vaccine’s distribution be a significant challenge?
- Table 11.3 in your Heizer/Render/Munson text provides a list of 10 supply chain risks. Which apply in this case? How?