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28 logistics companies lead the list of potential COVID-19 vaccine storage providers in the Philippines
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5 others are being eyed with possibly more roped in
The government is in advanced talks with a number of third-party logistics providers for the storage of COVID-19 vaccines, National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon said in a briefing on Jan 19.
So far more than 30 companies are being eyed, with government having had discussions with 28; five others will be roped in this week.
Dizon noted, “We need very special facilities for the vaccines to be delivered. This is what they call pharma-grade cold chain facilities or pharma-grade cold storage facilities. These more than 30 companies are the biggest and they have this capacity.”
The 28 companies are:
- 2GO
- Cebu Pacific
- Centiforce
- Cold Chain Care
- Coolaire
- Distriphil
- Dynatronics/Braintech
- Frabelle Cold Chain
- Grepcor Diamonde
- Genson Distribution Inc.
- IP Biotech Inc.
- LBC Express Inc.
- M-Fast Logistics
- Maersk Shipping
- Medical Rescue
- Metropac Movers
- Novatus Technologies
- Orca
- PAL
- Pharmaserv
- Royal Cargo
- Royal Cold Storage
- SMX Convention Center
- Sinobest
- Skyjet Airlines
- Smart-Tradzt
- Vantaztic Inc.
- Zuellig
Dizon said there will also be discussions with DB Schenker, DHL Global Forwarding, AAI Worldwide Logistics, Regulus Global and Air Speed on January 21.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. and Department of Health officials “will still talk to different companies and associations like the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, especially for areas that are in the provinces”, he added.
The storage facilities will be inspected by Galvez, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and other task force members beginning January 20, according to Dizon.
“We have coordinated closely with different vaccine companies to determine what should be done to preserve the vaccines once they arrive in the Philippines. Secretary Galvez also coordinated closely with different private sector companies that can handle these kinds of sensitive medicines,” he said.
