FedEx to ship first wave of COVID-19 vaccines across US
Aviation Updates Philippines – FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest
express transportation company, announced today that operations are in motion to
transport its first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Emergency Use
Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, FedEx Express will
begin transport of the vaccine using its FedEx Priority Overnight® service
supported by FedEx Priority Alert® advanced monitoring. After months of
preparation and close planning with Pfizer, other healthcare companies, and
federal and state officials, the first COVID-19 vaccines will move to dosing
centers in the United States. Vaccine distribution will be balanced among
major cargo carriers, and FedEx is working closely with healthcare customers
to prepare for additional vaccine shipments and transportation of critical
vaccine-related supplies.
The FedEx network is well-positioned to handle COVID-19 vaccine shipments
around the world with temperature-control solutions, near real-time monitoring
capabilities and a dedicated healthcare team to support the express
transportation of vaccines and bioscience shipments.
“This is among the most important work in the history of our company, and
we’re honored to be a part of the effort to help end this pandemic,” said Raj
Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer, FedEx Corp. “I am
immensely proud of our dedicated team members who continue to go above and
beyond to help ensure the safe movement of these critical COVID-19 vaccines,
especially during our busiest holiday shipping season to date. This is who we
are and what we do at FedEx.”
Transportation of COVID-19 vaccines is the next phase of ongoing FedEx efforts
to support pandemic relief around the world. FedEx has a long history of
supporting relief efforts when disasters strike, using its network and
expertise to deliver for good.
“We are one of the few companies with the global network and capabilities to
keep critical supply chains moving during this unprecedented time,” said Don
Colleran, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Express. “Since the
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, FedEx has delivered more than 55 kilotons of
personal protective equipment, including more than two billion face masks, and
more than 9,600 humanitarian aid shipments around the globe.”
To help reach underserved communities with the COVID-19 vaccine, FedEx has
committed $4 million in cash and in-kind transportation support to several
nonprofits serving communities in the U.S. and around the world. These include
Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, and Heart to Heart International.
“Time-definite express transportation of critical shipments is exactly what
our FedEx Express network was built to do when it launched in 1973,” said
Richard W. Smith, regional president of the Americas and executive vice
president of global support, FedEx Express. “Almost five decades later, we are
proving true to our founding mission by delivering critical COVID-19
vaccines.”
“This is a historic moment and represents a monumental feat for vaccine
development and expedient deployment,” said Mike McDermott, president, Pfizer
Global Supply. “Outstanding logistics is critical to get our products to those
who need them across the country, and we’re happy to partner with FedEx in
this historic effort to save lives and put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Press release from FedEx Newsroom
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