Pat Lennon

Rafael - You raise important questions and I don't believe there are concrete answers to them yet. Here is some information that may be helpful.

WHO R&D Blueprint for COVID-19: https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/novel-coronavirus/en/

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is making significant investments in multiple vaccine candidates: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/491006-bill-gates-is-funding-factories-for-7-potential

The Foundation understands that a vaccine will be needed in all countries to protect everyone from a highly contagious virus. Given the amount of international travel still occuring just vaccinating a few rich countries won't be effective at stopping a pandemic.

The Foundation is also investing in research on treatment options until a vaccine is available: https://twitter.com/gatesfoundation/status/1246095455726886913?s=12

You posted your question to the cold chain equipment forum. What we don't know yet is how thermostable any new vaccines will be. Will the new vaccine(s) be able to be stored in 2-8C? Will they be freeze sensitive? Or will they have special requirements similar to the first Ebola vaccine? I believe we will need to track information on succesful candidate vaccines as they becomes available to see what the appropriate pandemic vaccine supply chain approach will be - and what new equipment, if any, is needed.