COVID-19: Dubai forms Vaccine Logistics Alliance

Dubai has formed a Vaccine Logistics Alliance to speed up distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world.

The initiative has been launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Emirates SkyCargo, Dubai Airports, DP World and International Humanitarian City have joined hands to distribute vaccines by air, land and sea.

Their combined expertise, along with global air routes, sea ports and logistics networks, will speed up vaccine deployment, especially to developing countries.

The alliance is working with a broader set of stakeholders including pharmaceutical manufacturers, forwarders, government agencies and other entities for transportation of vaccines.

The move will support the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVAX initiative and its efforts to equitably distribute two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.

"Each alliance partner brings to the table a specific and complementary set of strengths and capabilities in vaccine distribution, allowing us to build a 360-degree solution that harnesses the combined logistical and infrastructural advantages of Dubai as a hub," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

"Together, we are able to store a large volume of vaccine doses at a time and bring in and distribute vaccines to any point around the world within 48 hours."

The Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance brings together key organisations to expedite the world-wide transport of urgently needed COVID-19 vaccines through Dubai, under directive of @HHShkMohd, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE & Ruler of Dubai. pic.twitter.com/x1RmfBzfsk

— HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (@HHAhmedBinSaeed) January 31, 2021