COVID-19 Healthcare Logistics

If your mission is to make a difference in the world during the COVID-19 era, we are here to support you with a broad set of capabilities designed to facilitate clinical trials, diagnostic testing, humanitarian aid, and the global distribution of vaccines, therapies, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Supporting the fight against COVID-19 in every way we can

UPS Healthcare™ Cold Chain
UPS Healthcare™ Cold Chain

UPS Healthcare™ Cold Chain

From early clinical trials to commercial distribution, our end-to-end cold chain solutions help you get lifesaving vaccines to the world safely and more efficiently.

  • End-to-end cold chain solutions from clinical trials through to commercial launch and distribution
  • Custom cold chain packaging for 2°C to 8°C  or -20°C to -80°C requirements
  • Kitting for ancillary supplies
  • Freezer farm networks around the world with real-time cloud-based monitoring
  • Cold chain transportation and transportation management expertise
  • Priority shipping within our network with UPS® Premier
  • Dry ice production and shipping replenishment stations
  • Real time temperature and location visibility and alerts
  • Pre-configured recovery plans with UPS Premier
  • Early morning and 7-days-a-week delivery options
  • World-class Quality Assurance programme

Visit our Cold Chain Solutions page to learn more.

SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics

COVID-19 testing is critical for helping the world get back to normal. We help diagnostic labs by improving lab result turnaround time through better transparency and special operating plans that get the samples to the lab early so patients can get quicker results.

  • Clinical pop-up site setup and coordination
  • Building, storage, and distribution of custom lab kits for SARS-CoV-2 virus PCR, antigen (lateral flow), and antibody tests
  • Customised airport and delivery operating plans with a priority reverse logistics plan
  • Late pick-up and early morning delivery options
  • Full visibility platform that links lab specimens with clinics through clear dashboards and customized alerts.
  • Priority shipping in the UPS network with UPS Premier
  • Ability to manage the return of medical waste and needles

Learn more about our Lab Diagnostics Solutions

Personal protective equipment (PPE) Warehousing/Distribution

If healthcare facilities experience shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), we develop a resourcing, warehousing and distribution programme to help meet their needs.

  • Managed FEMA’s personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution supply chain
  • Healthcare compliant storage solutions with end-of-runway proximity for late night order receipt and early morning delivery
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) kit building services
  • Over 40MM units of commodities, test site inventory, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are managed daily
  • Quick turnaround time with options for early morning or weekend deliveries
  • 9% of personal protective equipment (PPE) shipments are delivered within 24 hours of order processing

UPS Covid-19 Pandemic Initiatives

Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, we have supported government agencies at all levels – federal, state and local, and we have collaborated with other crucial organisations working to bring solutions to the world.

  • Worked with FEMA to set up a personal protective equipment (PPE) warehousing and distribution plan
  • Provided support and guidance to the early pandemic White House Coronavirus Task Force
  • Key advisor to Operation Warp Speed for vaccine roll out plans
  • Working to facilitate equitable worldwide vaccine deliveries with support from COVAX, vaccine alliance Gavi and CARE’s Fast + Fair initiative

Learn about our  Humanitarian Logistics capabilities

Image of Captain Houston Mills and his co-pilot in the cockpit of the UPS plane that delivered the first COVID-19 vaccines in the US.

Delivering the first COVID-19 vaccines

UPS Airlines Captain Houston Mills reflects on the historic UPS Healthcare vaccine flight.

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Gravity Diagnostics Case Study

How we helped one lab accelerate COVID-19 diagnostic tests from 20 to 9,300 tests per day.

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A COVID-19 test in progress in the lab at Gravity Diagnostics.
A woman managing a cold chain dry ice pack out.

UPS Healthcare™ Cold Chain at work

See how our cold chain capabilities help get complex pharmaceuticals out to the world safely.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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We'd love to find out more about your business needs.

Contact us to learn how a customised logistics plan could help position you for success.

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