Softbox is supporting Pfizer in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through the supply of temperature-controlled parcel shipper developed specifically for ultra-low temperature applications.
The company supported Pfizer with the development of the specialised, reusable ultra-low temperature (ULT) shipper to help them on the distribution of ultra-low temperature vaccines and storing them at Point of Use (POU) sites.
The vaccine must be stored at temperatures of -90 to -60°C. The ULT shipper is capable of maintaining the required temperature during shipping of COVID-19 vaccines between for at least 10 days unopened.
The shipper uses insulation materials in conjunction with dry ice, to ensure long term ultra-low temperature control, Softbox says. It can be opened twice a day, for up to three minutes at a time. This allows clinicians at point of usesites to access the vaccine vials required for each day’s immunisation clinics without exposing the remaining vaccine stored within the shipper to ambient temperatures.
When correctly managed, the company says, the ULT Shipper can be used to store vaccines for in excess of 30 days. Through a process called re-icing, the dry ice in the Softbox ULT Shipper can be topped up, enabling further thermal protection.
“Softbox’s extensive knowledge and experience in temperature control packaging solutions and the cold chain industry was the right choice for us. They immediately understood the unprecedented task at hand that was in front of us with the distribution of the vaccine, and quickly started to work with us to develop a unique packaging system that does not waste any precious vaccine and creates a seamless experience for customers.” said Tanya Alcorn, VP, Biopharma Global Supply Chain for Pfizer. “Their technical capabilities and innovative approach helped us achieve an excellent result in a very short period of time.”
Kevin Valentine, CEO of Softbox, said: “We are immensely proud to be playing such an important role in the fight against Covid-19. We worked extremely hard during 2020 to help Pfizer develop this highly innovative ULT shipper; establishing one of the world’s largest fleets of reusable temperature-controlled parcel shippers in the process and setting up two world-class service centres to support ULT shipper refurbishment.”
