HHS, DoD tap McKesson Corporation as central distributor for future COVID-19 vaccines

As part of the federal Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense (DoD) recently announced a partnership with the McKesson Corporation, which will help distribute future COVID-19 vaccines and supplies.

The decision taps an existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contract option with McKesson. The company was previously responsible for the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine from 2009-2010, but its current contract began in 2016, following a competitive bidding process. That contract included an option for the distribution of vaccines during a pandemic.

“Today’s announcement puts another building block in place as the nation moves toward a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” CDC Director Robert Redfield said. “America’s march toward one or more safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a combined effort between American industry and the federal government. McKesson is a leader in their field, and we welcome their expertise and dedication to public health.”

Although no vaccines SARS-CoV-2 — the virus responsible for COVID-19 — have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration yet, the departments note that planning between them and McKesson is now underway to ensure rapid distribution once such measures are taken. From there, McKesson would go about shipping COVID-19 vaccines to administration sites under CDC guidance.