“IT leaders shared lessons learned from navigating one of the most challenging and important efforts in recent history – managing COVID-19 vaccine distribution and development – at the ServiceNow 2021 Federal Forum.”
“Deacon Maddox, chief of plans, operations, and analysis for the public-private Operation Warp Speed (OWS) vaccine development effort – shared that the COVID-19 response unit operated with a single focus since it was first announced in the Rose Garden in May 2020 – providing vaccines to the American people.”
“I think we can all be very proud of this unprecedented effort by our country to fight back against disease,” said Maddox. “I’m here to tell you we are fighting and winning this war every day.”
“However, these accomplishments don’t come without challenges. Maddox explained the vaccine delivery process was complicated by a series of unknowns.”
“We had to contend with unknown emergency-use authorization dates, availabilities, and more,” said Maddox. “We are living hand-to-mouth with doses as they come off the conveyor belt. There is no storage. There’s no safety stock. It’s like a tightrope act without a safety net.”
Speaking of navigating the unexpected, he noted, “you need to anticipate that corrections will have to be made.” Read the full article here.
Source: Powering COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution With Modern Service Management – March 9, 2021. MeriTalk.
