The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has made the necessary preparations for the immediate mass shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine once they are ready to go.
The Department of Transportation has been working with Operation Warp Speed officials over the past few weeks to coordinate with the private sector companies that will carry the vaccines from manufacturing facilities to the distribution centers and inoculation points. The DOT has set safety requirements for all potential hazards involved in shipping the vaccine, including standards for dry ice and lithium batteries.
“The Department has laid the groundwork for the safe transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine and is proud to support this historic endeavor,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said.
Among the steps the USDOT has taken, it granted a nationwide exemption to hours-of-service regulations for trucking companies and commercial drivers providing direct emergency assistance. Also, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s long-standing Emergency Declaration was extended to support the emergency transportation of vaccines and medical supplies and equipment.
Further, the “FAA COVID-19 Vaccine Air Transport Team” was established in October for the safe and expedited transportation and distribution of approved COVID-19 vaccines. Key to this effort has been coordination with the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials.