Securing trust in the global COVID-19 supply chain

The pandemic has led to unparalleled collaboration between life sciences organisations, academia, and other health care stakeholder around the world to advance a COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, the life sciences industry’s innovation is on center stage, and the pandemic has only accelerated adoption of advanced technologies. As rollouts are becoming a reality now, it is important to note that multiple vaccines will be necessary to meet the need for worldwide vaccination. Each vaccine has its own specialized requirements, and each country has varying resources to accommodate them—making an already complex supply chain, even more dynamic and uncertain.

While the production of a vaccine comes with its own set of challenges, studies suggest that trust is an underpinning factor for the successful launch, distribution, and acceptance of vaccines. Life science leaders need to focus on areas—product integrity, ethical distribution, and communicating transparently—that can nurture trust amongst public. Government leaders, regulators, and public health authorities need to continue to be sensitive to the safety of the vaccines and the resources they need.

Today, companies are readying their COVID-19 vaccines and have shared protocols for a “real time” exchange on the scientific, deliberative, and inclusive trial process. But how can companies protect supply chain integrity while distributing the vaccines? Are organisations and governments ready with capabilities to store, administer vaccine products, and deal with any unprecedented logistical challenges? What steps can drive vaccine confidence with the public?

Deloitte, in collaboration with GS1, a not-for-profit organisation that develops and maintains global standards for business communication, shares insights into how organisations can secure trust in the global COVID-19 vaccine supply chain.

To secure public trust, organisations and governments will need to:

• Advance industry collaboration across the value chain
• Embrace and promote global standards for supply chain security 
• Anticipate challenges for safe and efficacious delivery of vaccines
• Use clear and transparent communications for vaccine confidence

The report also focuses on the importance of embracing global standards and discusses the roadblocks in safe and efficacious delivery of vaccines.