Short excerpt from the CNN Article

London (CNN) — UK regulators have approved the use of the Oxford University / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, which is cheaper and easier to distribute than some rivals and could in time offer a route out of the pandemic for large parts of the world.

The UK government said it would follow a new immunization strategy for the vaccine, which will prioritize giving the first in a series of two vaccine doses to as many people as possible, before administering a second dose up to 12 weeks later.

Vaccine selection and approval represent a key milestone; however, from a Supply Chain Management standpoint, this is just the first step (amongst many) needed to get the vaccines to those who need them.

Link to quoted CNN Article: “UK regulator approves Oxford / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine”

Rolling out the vaccine in an orderly manner will be the next step on the list.

Preparations must be made, and these will cover:
— materials & goods (e.g. the vaccine),
— information (online or printed),
— personnel (availability, training and competence),
— infrastructure (storage and transport),
— systems (recording, monitoring and communication systems), and;
— compliance (ensuring that product, process and system requirements are met).

As with any significant product rollout task, there are several potential concerns that come to mind (see below):

Potential key rollout concerns

— Vaccine Availability
— Handling and Storage
— Process Compliance
— Personnel Competence and Availability
— Feedback and Data Availability

1. Vaccine Availability

In order to address demand and internal targets, national governments — like that of the United Kingdom — will have to resort to tapping several vaccine providers, just to ensure sufficient vaccine supplies.

The quoted CNN Article stated that “the UK had 100 million doses of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine on order, which, combined with 30 million doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, would be enough to vaccinate the entire UK adult population”.

Having several suppliers or sources, however, raises potential coordination and communication issues — and can also result in future problems in determining vaccine effectiveness, unless actions are taken the ensure that vaccination data points are properly sorted / tagged. Proactive steps can be taken to address these issues.

2. Handling and Storage

Proper Handling and Storage will help reduce wastage and/or ineffective vaccinations. The PFIZER / BIONTECH vaccine has a storage temperature requirement of -70°C, while the OXFORD / ASTRAZENECA and JANSSEN / J&J vaccines have a more common 2-8°C requirement.

Other considerations, like shelf life after thawing and limiting exposure to moisture and light, will affect the viability of some storage solutions.

3. Process Compliance

Process Compliance (e.g. timely administration of 2nd vaccine doses) will be important. Systems and procedures to monitor vaccinated patients due for a booster shot will be needed, to help ensure that the booster shots are carried out on schedule.

4. Personnel Competence and Availability

As always, getting qualified and competent people to do a specific job is easier said than done. Due to the large scope of the vaccinations and the ongoing pandemic putting strains on the medical system, this task is made even more difficult. Systems for evaluating personnel and ensuring their continued competence would be needed.

5. Feedback and Data Availability

Timely access to key data, like in-transit and at-location stock levels, stock wastage, stock consumption and operational issues and concerns, will be critical. An online digital data gathering solution would be best. This data can then be mined and analyzed at a later date.

TIP: Rollout Planning To-Dos

Successful plans anticipate expected concerns and bottlenecks, define appropriate actions to mitigate potential issues, and resolve barriers to success. Here are some key essentials when planning your own rollout:

— Tap the stakeholders
Getting feedback from stakeholders prior to implementation will help iron out any perceived kinks in the plan. In this case, start by tapping the vaccine provider to help define plans and systems to ensure a smooth rollout (as it will be in their best interests to do so).Tapping professionals involved in the entire immunization cycle would also be good. Lastly, getting feedback from the vaccinated citizens would provide key data regarding the overall program.

— Empower an entity to carry out these tasks
The entity / group / body tasked with the rollout must have the authority to carry out all tasks assigned to it. This entity must also understand that it will be responsible for ensuring the success of the rollout. The UK will need to establish a national body that is both empowered and authorized to monitor and coordinate the vaccine rollout.This will be key in light of ongoing effects of BREXIT. This body needs to determine if any government interventions (e.g. temporarily reducing / removing import duties and restrictions on foreign-sourced low-temperature freezers etc.) are required.

— Design, document and review rollout and contingency plans. Disseminate to all implementors, and clarify questions as needed.
The rollout plan (and supporting contingency plans) need to be issued and discussed with all implementors, prior to the rollout. Plans should state desired outcomes, required steps and controls and process checks. Should issues arise, appropriate containment, remedial, corrective and/or preventive plans must be clearly defined and implemented.

— Establish an end-to-end supply chain monitoring system
Rollout plan compliance to milestones and KPIs needs to be verified, and results reported (and acted upon). This system must monitor compliance to defined key performance indicators (KPIs) of the supply chain cycle (e.g. shipments from vaccine providers all the way to immunization). Issues encountered need to be reported and properly resolved, to ensure smooth deliveries.

Conclusion

Vaccine selection is the first step (among many) in the quest to address the COVID-19 threat. In several ways, this vaccine rollout is unprecedented — so due its scale and criticality, things need to be done right the first time.

By setting up a well-thought-out vaccine rollout system, lives can and will be saved; and with that, families and national economies be put back on the road to recovery.