They leave nothing to chance and bought extra cars with refrigeration to fulfill the important task: the distribution of the corona vaccines in the Netherlands and abroad.
There they are. In the middle of the road. Trapped by the police. While the unusual transport of a courier from Elsendorp was already accompanied by another police car. Moments before, all the alarm bells went off because the inconspicuous convoy, followed with GPS signals, took a different route than that reported. The officer behind the wheel chose a shorter route after which the National Police were called. So nothing to worry about.
Puncture marks
The incident immediately makes it clear how much tension there is in the transport of the 'liquid gold'. It is a job that they have had their hands full at MKG Koeriers in Elsendorp for months. From the places where the corona vaccines are stored, the company's vans transport them to the injection sites, to the GGDs throughout the Netherlands, to sports halls and event halls. It is an assignment that they are proud of at MKG.
Too many buses are standing still
But let's be honest: when director and owner Joan Minten (55) looks outside, the smile on his face disappears. Because too many courier buses are standing still for his liking. They are ready for the bigger work, but the supply of vaccines has so far only started gradually. "They started vaccinating earlier abroad, but that is only for the stage. There was simply not enough available yet," says his wife Jeannine (52).
-70 degrees
This must change in the coming weeks. If the signs are not deceiving, they can get their hopes up. From next week, the recently approved corona vaccine from Moderna will also be rolled out in the Netherlands. Until now, it has revolved around the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which must be stored below -70 degrees Celsius. After it has been removed from the super-freeze arrives, it can be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of five days. This poses challenges during distribution.
The temperature is closely monitored, even once in the courier vans. The contents of one cool box, approximately the size of a moving box, are suitable ten thousand people are vaccinated. Roughly a third of a full Philips Stadium in better times. And that number is now being stretched further. Hospitals can now vaccinate not six, but seven people with a vial of the Pfizer/BioNTech corona vaccine.
Investment of 8 tons
MKG in Elsendorp has invested approximately eight tons in additional equipment and manpower in recent months. 17 cars were purchased and twenty new drivers were hired. On the vaccine transports they always travel with two people, while a car ambulance with a spare car is ready at the base in Elsendorp. For example, if a vaccine transport is affected by a flat tire or broken V-belt.
Joan Minten saw turnover plummet during the previous crisis, the credit crisis. His courier company drove for large metal companies and automotive suppliers, among others. "The pharmaceutical industry then only accounted for ten percent of turnover. In recent years, that share has been increased to 80 percent," he says. For example, MKG drives for the Sanquin blood bank and brings surgical robots and heart valves to hospitals abroad.
MKG can get busy especially from mid-February, when Pfizer expects to be able to supply 'significantly more' vaccine doses.