Global COVID vaccination programme fraught with security challenges
Julian Hall explores the security challenges behind rolling out vaccination programmes, as authorities worldwide contend with physical and cyber threats to operations.
The UK Government’s target of 15 million vaccines administered by mid-February was met this weekend, and with it the UK has reached an important milestone. However, not everyone in vulnerable categories has been reached and the lifting of restrictions, particularly social distancing, looks increasingly dependent on a more comprehensive vaccine rollout.
What of the security operation behind the rollout? The Government will only say that it takes the security of vaccines “extremely seriously” and that, to ensure this, it’s working directly with suppliers and national and international law enforcement agencies, discussing, among other things, “counterfeiting measures and secure transport.”