Air France KLM Martinair Cargo yesterday flew to Bonaire and Aruba for the first time from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol carrying a shipment of Covid-19 vaccines.

It is the first of several shipments that will deliver the vaccines to the various islands in the coming weeks.

The vaccines were loaded into the aircraft in the presence of Dutch State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport, Paul Blokhuis, responsible for healthcare in the Dutch Caribbean, and Pieter Elbers, CEO of KLM.

The distribution of Covid-19 vaccines poses specific transport and security challenges and the division has developed a dedicated process to ensure swift, reliable and safe distribution.

“Many people have been working flat out for a year to get the coronavirus under control in the Caribbean region of the Kingdom. The first vaccines to reach all the islands this week mark a hopeful turning point in the struggle to end this crisis.” Paul Blokhuis, Dutch State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport.

Each of the various vaccines has its own temperature requirements: +2 to +8 degrees Celsius, frozen at -20 degrees Celsius, or between -70 and -80 degrees Celsius.

It is vital that these temperatures are guaranteed throughout the entire transport operation.

The Pfizer vaccine shipped to Bonaire and Aruba today has been packed with dry ice.

This will keep it at the right temperature for several days, as long the containers are stored in an environment of between +2 to +25 degrees Celsius.

Upon arrival on Bonaire and Aruba, the vaccines are immediately stored in a suitable temperature-controlled environment.