Search

Dry Ice Shortage Could Freeze COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Posted on 10/27/2020 by Lauren Scott

From disinfecting wipes to N95 masks, from toilet paper to rice, the coronavirus pandemic has caused supply shortages of a multitude of products. The latest expected casualty: dry ice.

Dry ice is created using carbon dioxide (CO2) captured during the production of ethanol. But as fewer people are driving and purchasing gas, the demand for ethanol has plummeted. Conversely, the pandemic has increased the demand for meal kit delivery services, meaning more dry ice is needed to keep foods cold during transport.

The slowed production of ethanol has decreased the amount of dry ice available on the market. As of early September, American Dry Ice Corp in Palmer, MA estimates that it receives 85% of the company’s CO2 orders and that deliveries take an extra 4 to 6 days.

This may not seem like an issue yet, but these delays have drawn concern from public health experts, who fear this shortage may get worse once a coronavirus vaccine is approved and prepped for distribution.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna, have already said that their vaccines would require ultra-low temperatures for housing. Pfizer’s vaccine in particular requires a temperature of about 103 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. However, not all vaccines are expected to require such low temperatures. Johnson & Johnson has reported that at least one of its vaccine trails does not require subzero temperatures for storage.

To put it in perspective, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments in September to start planning for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as thousands of aircrafts remain grounded. The Agency predicts that the distribution of a single-dose vaccine to 7.8 billion people would require over eight thousand 747 cargo aircrafts. This is a challenge in and of itself, but dry ice adds another layer.

Why Is Dry Ice Hazmat When Shipped by Air?

What makes dry ice potentially dangerous? As the dry ice sublimates, it releases gas that can build up enough pressure inside a package to cause an explosion. As gas is emitted in a confined space like an airplane, it displaces air and can cause suffocation. In addition, dry ice is a cryogenic; contact can cause severe damage to skin.

Dry Ice Training to Help You Rise to the Challenge

Lion’s Shipping Infectious Substances with Dry Ice online course provides hazmat shippers with the training they need to prepare infectious substances for transportation by ground or air (with or without dry ice). This self-paced, virtual training will help you accurately classify and name infectious substances as well as package, mark, label, and document regulated shipments.
 

Tags: carbon dioxide, CO2, coronavirus, COVID-19, dry ice, IATA, pharmaceuticals, shipping dry ice, shipping vaccine, supply chain management, vaccine

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.