UPS Delivers COVID-19 Vaccines Via Temperature-Controlled Drone

Covid-19 had made it tough for people last year. The speed at which it was spreading was very scary. Although all the required precautions laid by the World Health Organization were taken to halt the spread of this pandemic, the desired result was not received. Vaccines are the only medium now through which the range and the pandemic can be rooted out completely. 

It is obvious that every individual should get vaccinated.  However, another problem that occurred during vaccination is the delivery of the vaccines. Vaccines are required to be stored at a specific temperature during their shipment and fluctuating too far from the range could result in the entire batch damage.

Fortunately, UPS has come with an amazing idea wherein they are delivering vaccines via Matternet M2 drone. It is equipped with a special cargo box that includes Cold Chain Technologies’ customized PCM Gel solution, a temperature-sensitive packaging mix that keeps the COVID-19 vaccine at 2 degrees to 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees to 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit). It also applies a temperature-monitoring mechanism that observes the vaccine’s temperature while in transportation.  The customized cold-chain packaging supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on the handling, storage, and transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Advantages of Employing Drones for Vaccine Delivery

  • As per research, The application of drones for healthcare deliveries in rural areas is a marked enhancement over current delivery forms.
  • The logistic cost associated with delivering the vaccines is much lower than the traditional delivery.
  • Drone employment by a healthcare system cut delivery times from 90 minutes by car to 3 minutes.
  • These independent, battery-powered drones produce zero operational emissions.

Final Words

Healthcare was one of the primary industries to use drone shipments in recent years. Transporting the vaccines by drone grants us additional speedy delivery opportunities for these time and temperature-sensitive vaccines.