Bolivia Transports COVID-19 Vaccines in Refrigerated Chicken Truck... "Due to Transport Vehicle Breakdown"

Sputnik V Vaccine Transport Vehicle Breakdown During Transit
Shows Cold Chain Reality in Developing Countries... Pfizer Transport Likely Difficult

On the 1st (local time) in Bolivia, a refrigerated chicken truck took over vaccine transportation due to the breakdown of a COVID-19 vaccine transport vehicle.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A social media post showing COVID-19 vaccines being transported in a refrigerated truck originally meant for chicken in Bolivia after the transport vehicle broke down has become an international sensation, sparking controversy. Critics say it starkly reveals the cold chain (low-temperature distribution system) conditions in developing countries, raising concerns that the distribution of vaccines requiring ultra-cold chain maintenance, such as Pfizer and Moderna, will be extremely difficult in these countries.

According to major foreign news agencies including the AP on the 2nd (local time), in Trinidad, central Bolivia, vaccines that arrived by air were transferred to a refrigerated truck used for transporting chicken and transported. As the photo quickly spread on social media, Bolivian citizens heavily criticized the situation. A spokesperson for the Bolivian government explained at a press conference that day, "There was a problem with the vaccine transport vehicle prepared by the local health authorities, so we urgently searched for companies with refrigerated vehicles." He added, "Before loading the vaccines, the vehicle was disinfected and biosafety regulations were also followed."

The vaccines loaded onto the chicken refrigerated truck that day were identified as the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia. Since the Sputnik V vaccine can be transported in a regular refrigerated vehicle at temperatures between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, this measure was taken. Bolivia had previously received an initial shipment of 20,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia on the 29th of last month and began vaccinations primarily targeting medical personnel.

Political circles in Bolivia also flooded with criticism of the government's negligent response. Former Interior Minister Arturo Murillo sarcastically tweeted, "Thanks to the chicken company that transported the unverified Russian vaccine," mocking the government's lack of thorough preparation. Some reportedly argued that as long as the cold chain was not broken, the type of vehicle used was not significantly important.

However, as this incident highlighted the poor refrigerated transport system in developing countries, concerns are growing that transporting vaccines requiring ultra-cold storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius, like Pfizer's vaccine, and those needing cold chain maintenance at minus 20 degrees Celsius, like Moderna's vaccine, will face significant difficulties. Bolivia is scheduled to receive 92,430 doses of the Pfizer vaccine later this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.