Although the FDA has not authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine yet, United Airlines started shipping it on Friday.
A report claims the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has permitted the air carrier to be prepared for a global distribution once the vaccine is approved.
As the medicine should be stored at -70 C, the carrier should keep it in great quantities of ice.
At this point, there is no information if the cargo flights are domestic or international, however, according to an FAA letter to Wall Street Journal, United Airlines plans to transfer the vaccine between Brussels and Chicago, due to the Pfizer's plants nearby.
Additionally to the flights, the pharmaceutical company intends to distribute its vaccine via hundreds of tracks worldwide.
The coronavirus vaccine for the US will be manufactured in Michigan, while the one for Europe - in Germany and Belgium.
Pfizer’s press release states that after being shipped to Michigan, the bulk vaccine will be combined with other raw materials and will be “transferred to an aseptic filling line where it will be filled into a sterilized vial and capped”.
After that, the drug will “undergo 100 percent inspection before it is transferred to the packaging lines.”
On Friday, the FAA stated that it was supporting the 'first mass air shipment of a vaccine,' as well as its safe distribution.
The chief executive of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, announced that they started preparing the company’s supply chain in March, as "Ensuring over a billion people globally have access to our potential vaccine is as critical as developing the vaccine itself."
Once the COVID-19 vaccine is officially approved, Pfizer in cooperation with United, FedEx, and DHL will conduct 20 flights daily to its distribution centers.
The general population is expected to receive the coronavirus vaccine in April 2021.
American citizens are eligible for a free vaccination, while individuals with Green Cards or temporary US residents are not confirmed yet.
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