ARCHIVED - Valencia Region will receive two direct air shipments of Pfizer vaccine each week from June
The aim is to ensure there are no interruptions to the vaccination campaign in the three provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellon.
Aeroplanes carrying shipments of the Pfizer vaccination will land at Manises Airport in Valencia on the Costa Blanca twice a week from next month.
The Pfizer laboratory and shipping company UPS have agreed to make deliveries on Mondays and Wednesdays to avoid issues over transportation.
Large quantities of dry ice are needed to keep the vaccines at a temperature of -70 degrees Celsius, making it difficult and potentially hazardous to transport the required amount in a single plane.
So the doses will be split into two with the first flight expected next week carrying 90,090 doses and the second transporting 91,260.
Dry ice can be a very serious hazard in a small space that isn't well-ventilated.
As dry ice melts, it turns into carbon dioxide gas. In a small space, this gas can build up and if enough of the gas is present, a person can become unconscious, and in the most serious cases, die.
This obviously poses a risk to aircraft crew.
The State Security Forces and Corps will continue to control and oversee the transfer of vaccines from Manises airport and the government of Valencia's Foreign Health Department of the Government Delegation will be in charge of certifying them before delivering them to region's Health Department.
Image: Government Delegate to Valencia.