The announcement comes at a time where many dry ice producers, distribution and equipment manufacturers are bracing themselves for a spike in demand due to the storage and distribution need of various vaccines.
Read more: Covid-19 vaccine: Dry ice set for spike in demand
Helping to calm the worry of many, the new solution uses local, regionalised freezer-to-freezer delivery routes on Tobin’s specialised, back-up generator-powered and redundant, temperature-controlled trailers to cryogenically freeze the vaccine.
The trailer units are outfitted with 220v electrical plugs for PHCbi brand freezers to ensure temperature continuity. Tobin’s trailers utilise iy patented IQ/OQ cGMP/cGLP calibrated temperature monitoring systems with real-time, live readings recorded locally, in-cab, and transmitted over cell service.
With each selected PHCbi brand freezer able to hold approximately 140,000 doses, this would put trailer capacity at one million doses across the entire fleet of specialised trailers.
“We’re pleased to partner with Tobin Scientific to address a vital need: the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine without the need for dry ice,” said PHCbi’s Vice President Murray Wigmore.
“Combining the unmatched reliability and temperature uniformity of PHCbi freezers, along with the specialised logistics experience of Tobin, we’re confident we have developed a robust and effective distribution solution.”
“This represents a critical piece of the vaccine distribution puzzle. PHCbi and Tobin Scientific are able to combine our core strengths to meet the requirements of our customers and society in addressing this critical healthcare need.”
“Amidst this historic challenge we, at Tobin Scientific, are very encouraged to be partnering with PHCbi. The rock-solid, performance and reliability of their condenser-based freezers make transport in Tobin vehicles possible,” said Tobin Scientific’s Vice-President, Brian Tobin.
“Together, we will play an integral role in the successful distribution of vaccine via our model for regional route vaccine redistribution. As our state-to-state commitments expand, PHCbi’s ability to fulfil the demand for freezers will also be key to the successful execution of this model.”