India is world's second-most populous country with one of the highest infection rates and getting a vaccine will be a big step to combat the virus. As India looks at considering vaccines as a preventive measure, safe delivery and proper storage of vaccines for mass immunization against the virus is a massive challenge. India will need to have effective extra cold chain facilities and Godrej is working on ultra cold storage solution for vaccines.

Currently in India, vaccines under development require cold storage facilities of 2-8°C and Godrej Appliances recently won a whooping 95-crore tender from the government to supply 12,000 medical refrigerators and chest freezers with storage temperatures of 2-8°C.

 

The company is paving a way for the launch of vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna by developing an ultra cold storage solution as these vaccines require ultra-low temperatures for safe storage and transportation. “We are more or less ready to supply the -70°C cold storage facility, which is a requirement for the Pfizer vaccine. We are geared up with that product from January, but they are expensive,” said Kamal Nandi, Vice President, Godrej Appliances.

According to a World Health Organization Report, poorly managed logistics systems can result in unnecessary vaccine wastage, stock outs or improper management of waste thus resulting in a negative impact on public health.

 Proper cold storage requirement is one of the key aspects of vaccination drives as India is planning to immunize nearly 300 million adults by June 2021 after the vaccine gets regulatory approval. The medical refrigerator by Godrej is expected to be ready by January, costing 7-8 lakh for a 200-litre storage capacity.

Up to 50,000 vials of vaccine can be stored in a 200-litre container. With 97% efficacy, Pfizer vaccine is currently part of the immunization programme of countries like UK, US and Canada. Pfizer has a marketing approval in India but government officials are unlikely to pick it up for the vaccination drive as it requires stringent cold storage is expensive compared to other vaccines. However, there might be a possibility that the vaccine is distributed through private channels.

Godrej is anticipating orders from state governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya as they have started charting plans for vaccination. “We had installed a capacity of 10,000 appliances per annum; given the Covid-19 vaccination drive, we have relooked at our capacity and have increased that up to 35,000 per year,” said Jaishankar Natarajan, Head, new business development, Godrej Appliances.

The company is devising storage solutions keeping in mind tropical weather conditions that could keep the temperatures intact for three to 10 days without electricity.