Express and logistics integrator DHL has successfully delivered the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on a cargo flight from Belgium to Japan last week.

The company said freezers had to be installed at its facility to safely store the vaccines at below 70°C until domestic delivery. The vaccines were packed with GPS and temperature trackers in each thermal shipper box to provide full visibility throughout the shipment’s journey.

DHL’s freight division handled the customs clearance in Japan and will dispatch the vaccines to facilities across the nation, with subsequent batches to be delivered by air throughout the year.

Also read: DHL’s Singapore air freight station renews CEIV Pharma

Around the globe, DHL has also been entrusted with the transport of Covid-19 vaccine jabs to Singapore, Israel, and other European countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Romania and Sweden.

Japan will start its inoculation drive on Wednesday, starting with 40,000 medical workers, Payload Asia learned, following the approval of Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine on Sunday.

The country, with a population of 126 million, has signed contracts to procure 314 million doses from Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna, enough for 157 million people, according to Reuters.