COVID-19 Response: Ultra-Cold Solutions and Vaccine Distribution in Ethiopia

June 1, 2022

After early successes advancing COVID-19 vaccines to hard-to-reach populations, the Red Lightning team decided to address a too often forgotten group, refugees.  We pulled together a team with key players from UPS, Pfizer, UNHCR, UNICEF, Freight in Time, and local Ethiopian authorities, and we set out to get doses to refugees in the eastern part of the country.  

After two months of planning, budgeting, and consensus building, we were ready to start moving mRNA vaccines at -60°C to -90°C throughout Ethiopia.  It was also time to go from virtual meetings to in person work. On May 18th, Michael headed over to Addis Abba to train government supply chain team members and oversee the first wave of deliveries of Pfizer vaccine doses.  

Wave 1 outcomes

·  83 National EPPSA & FIT Team Members Trained in Ultra Cold Vaccine Distribution

·  2.4 million Pfizer vaccine doses safely delivered within temperature protocols

·  400,000 doses delivered to refugees (90K Pfizer)

·  Additional waves can be easily repeated on this proven supply chain 

Special thanks to the UPS Foundation for providing funding and the access to UPS Healthcare subject matter experts.