Possible Dry Ice Shortage, Crucial For Shipping, Looms Over Covid Vaccine Distribution

Topline

With U.S. officials hoping to distribute tens of millions of Covid-19 vaccines in the next few months, demand is expected to skyrocket for dry ice—essential to maintain the super-cold temperatures the vaccines need to remain at during transport—which is now leading to concerns about a potential shortage that could have broad-ranging economic impacts.

Key Facts

President-elect Joe Biden says he wants 100 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine given out in the first 100 days he’s in office.

Pfizer, which is hoping to soon be granted emergency authorization for wide vaccine distribution, needs its shots to be kept at -94 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring dry ice for most transportation.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said at a news conference Tuesday that the state is preparing for a shortage in dry ice caused by vaccine distribution, which he said could lead to problems in shipping out one of the major exports of the upper Midwest—cheese.

Some dry ice manufacturers are also warning of a potential shortage, like Anthony Armato, a chief operator at Armato Ice, Dry Ice & Firewood Service in Manhattan, who told northjersey.com this week that increased demand “could definitely see shortages come again.”

Daniel Koerner, who co-owns the Massachusetts-based American Dry Ice Corp. told The Wall Street Journal that he may have to ration supplies of dry ice to prioritize vaccines, while Buddy Collen of Texas-based Reliant Dry Ice predicted business is “going to get frantic” when wide vaccine distribution is underway.

Crucial Quote

“One of the things that’s specifically a concern for Minnesota and the Midwest and Wisconsin is dry ice is used extensively to ship cheese cultures,” Walz said. 

What To Watch For

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association has made requests for 350,000 pounds of dry ice to be set aside each week, according to The Wall Street Journal

Key Background

Dry ice, which is carbon dioxide in its solid form, is regularly used in the shipping of pharmaceuticals and perishable food. But the Pfizer vaccine requires temperatures that are exceptionally cold, even compared to most other vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Widespread distribution of the vaccine started in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, with American distribution waiting on FDA approval for emergency authorization.

Big Number

1.3 billion. That’s how many vaccines Pfizer is expected to distribute worldwide in 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal

Further Reading

Pfizer And Moderna Steer Clear Of White House Vaccine Summit (Forbes)

Dry ice is critical for Pfizer COVID vaccine. Here’s why local manufacturers are concerned (northjersey.com)

Dry Ice Demand Swells as Covid-19 Vaccines Prepare for Deployment (The Wall Street Journal)

U.K. Grants Emergency Approval Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 Vaccine, The First Country To Do So (Forbes)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus


Speak Your Mind

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Get in Touch

350FansLike
100FollowersFollow
281FollowersFollow
150FollowersFollow

Recommend for You

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Subscribe and receive our weekly newsletter packed with awesome articles that really matters to you!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You might also like

Ravens Grab Help At Several Spots In Second Day...

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Running back J.K. Dobbins...

How long can America Inc’s profits keep rising?

Feb 12th 2022THROUGHOUT 2021 corporate profits in America seemed immune to infection, inflation and...

NBFCs lose car loan market share on rate war...

CHENNAI: NBFCs are losing market share to banks in car and SUV financing and...

Amazon, RIL’s e-pharma plans alarm chemists – Times of...

TNN Bengaluru/Mumbai: Worried with the recent entry of biggies Amazon India and Reliance (RIL)...