United Drug, Ireland’s leading pharmaceutical distribution company, has been solely responsible for delivering all COVID-19 vaccines across Ireland since December 2020. Our experience in medical supply logistics meant we were well-placed to receive, store and supply the vaccines assuring the right quality, maintaining traceability, and delivering on-time and in-full to healthcare providers across Ireland.

Our teams had to adapt quickly, we were challenged with implementing multiple processes within very short windows throughout the past 12 months to ensure that we met the requirement of each vaccine, the HSE and the HPRA. The complex requirements of the COVID19 Vaccine operational roll out meant a complete reconfiguration of supply chains and logistics. We had to enhance the logistics infrastructure, including the storage of the ultra-low -70-degree temperature vaccine, Pfizer BioNTech, along with other vaccines such as Moderna and Janssen which are stored under Freezer temperature -20 degrees. This was in addition to the Astra Zeneca storage, which is refrigerated at +2 to +8 degrees.

To ensure robust delivery, United Drug procured a fleet of specialist refrigerated vehicles and trained up a dedicated team that could handle such extreme temperatures and quality processes.

Departing from our headquarters in Citywest, our drivers deliver the Vaccines to the GP’s, Hospitals, Vaccination centers and Pharmacies all over Ireland.

The journey of a single vaccine is tremendous, and delivery is no mean feat. The ongoing success of this operation is down to our highly dedicated teams whose unwavering commitment, attention to detail and precision ensured a speedy and safe delivery for Ireland’s healthcare needs.

For the full vaccine journey, see the Irish Times article here.