Kenya Airways readies for role in COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Kenya Airways (KQ) is ready to play a role in the eventual distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine having set up a pharma facility at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The facility is expected to meet the demand of pharmaceutical products globally with its initial use being supporting logistics for the potential pandemic’s antidote.

In the long-term, the carrier seeks to deploy the pharma facility to help in reducing the disease burden in Africa by using its network to create treatment options on the continent.

“KQ Cargo has been laying the groundwork and working closely with pharmaceutical and medical customers to be ready to safely and effectively support their vaccines transportation needs to move efficiently once the vaccine is approved by the regulators,” said KQ Cargo Director Dick Murianki.

“KQ Cargo has been laying the groundwork and working closely with pharmaceutical and medical customers to be ready to safely and effectively support their vaccines transportation needs to move efficiently once the vaccine is approved by the regulators.”

The airline says it has the capability to transport extremely sensitive drugs and vaccines in controlled temperatures ranging from negative 40 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius.

The successful distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is integral to KQ’s own future with the antidote being expected to foster the return of air passenger traffic demand which remains lethargic amidst a second-wave pandemic sweep.

The carrier has recently indicated that it expects passenger revenues to remain depressed over the next 12 months even as it hopes for a rapid distribution of vaccines.

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