Vaccines distribution is really starting to roll:
United Parcel Service Inc. and FedEx Corp. are ramping up vaccine distribution, with plans for additional gains if Johnson & Johnson’s inoculation is cleared by U.S. regulators.
The couriers are handling about 10 million does a week on a combined basis and that number is set to climb to 14 million next week, said Wes Wheeler, chief of UPS’s health care unit. That doesn’t include the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine, which hasn’t yet been granted an emergency use authorization but has been found by U.S. regulators to be safe and effective.
Peak vaccine distribution will probably occur in May when other manufacturers, such as Novavax Inc., begin to ship their products, Wheeler said. The volume now is about a third of the expected peak level and there’s plenty of capacity to handle the surge, he said. Even when UPS reaches the maximum distribution level, the company estimates that vaccines will account for about 6% of the 24.7 million packages it delivers worldwide every day.
“We made sure that even during the peak periods that we would have enough capacity in our network to be able to prioritize all vaccines,” Wheeler said in an interview.
Deliveries are also fanning out as the couriers add more pharmacy chains and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Distribution points have climbed to 100,000 on a combined basis for UPS and FedEx from about 14,000 at the beginning.
I can’t wait. Currently, I’m pretty much at the end of the line here in California and probably won’t be fully vaccinated until late spring at the earliest. (I’m old, but not old enough — and I’m healthy, knock on wood.) But I’m fine with that. I’m lucky enough not to have to go out and mingle with humans very much so I’m happy to let those who need it more than I do get protected.
But, man. I’m really looking forward getting my shots and returning to some semblance of normal life. Not to mention losing the ongoing fear in the pit of my stomach that I’m going to get this and either die or give it to someone. I’m just worn out with this as I’m sure you all are too.