IoT – the Sensitive Link of COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain

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Millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines are transported to healthcare facilities across the world. The numerous steps involved with the distribution process and the heightened urgency around that process have also presented a big target for bad actors.

So how are the vaccines secured? 

Experts say organized crime groups are aware of the value of each vaccine dose and are looking for ways to intercept shipments. In an unusual move befitting a national emergency, the U.S. government is providing extra security above the stringent steps pharmaceutical companies and their transport providers normally take.

Firms that specialize in Internet of Things (IoT) sensor and software technology could have a crucial role to play in the cold chain storage required to keep the vaccines intact. Connected sensors will play a critical role in the effort to vaccinate as many people as possible.

Carrier, a global manufacturer of climate control solutions provides refrigerated Carrier Pods. They saw a need arise with the pandemic and quickly developed a solution. The company’s Sensitech unit makes temperature indicators and monitoring solutions that are being used in portions of the current vaccine distribution effort, according to the company. Temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, the required storage temperature for the Moderna vaccine, can be measured by the company’s sensors. Its monitoring solution includes a dry ice probe; dry ice is required to maintain the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at -70 degrees Celsius.

Connected sensors can be placed on both the refrigerated containers that carry vaccines and on the medical packages stored inside those containers. The refrigerated containers include telematics to support real-time status updates. Data is processed by the company’s Lynx software platform, which leverages Amazon Web Services’ IoT, analytics and machine learning capabilities. Machine learning is used to identify issues that could affect cargo, and recommend ways to improve outcomes and avoid potential loss or spoilage.

By using Carrier’s product, shippers can find out about potential issues with their cargo by accessing an app that delivers notifications. The company is working to develop text and email notifications so that shippers can find out about problems without needing to check a special app.

The combination of location-tracking sensors and cloud-based data analytics could enable drug companies and military logistics personnel to understand how much usable vaccine is available at each target location, and how much is expected to be there in the near future. Combining this data can facilitate the re-routing of shipments in order to fulfill the goal of maximizing the delivery of the vaccine to healthcare providers and vulnerable populations, according to lightreading.com.