Pfizer partners with Zipline
USA-based drone services provider Zipline is partnering with Pfizer to test and develop an end-to-end distribution solution for Covid-19 vaccines.
As part of the collaboration, a system has been developed that can be used to safely distribute any vaccine. Zipline’s on-demand delivery system will enable medical providers to only order the supply that they need, reducing waste due to expiry.
Zipline has distributed tens of thousands of vaccines supplied by the Covax facility to Ghana since March 2021 and has delivered over 2.5 million routine vaccines since 2019.
The first African country to receive vaccines through this initiative currently has four Zipline distribution centres, with plans to expand to eight this year, ultimately reaching thousands of health facilities serving over 85% of its population. (ah)