Swine Flu and the Supply Chain

The delivery of H1N1 vaccine to Massachusetts, and other states, is again delayed and that is beginning to cause some media related panic.  Clinics are being postponed and every time someone dies from the virus the media report it; closely followed by a story about the delay in the delivery of the vaccine.

The news story on the radio really got my attention today as they used the very specific supply chain words of allocation, forecasting, distribution channels, process controls, lead time, and capacity planning. To a supply chain guy, this seems to be a case of demand outstripping supply, inadequate capacity, and a distribution system based on politics and leverage.

The finger pointing has begun. Suppliers are blaming the buyers and buyers the suppliers. But we’re not talking about the allocation of electronic components. Lives are at stake here and the clock is ticking. Seems the only one properly managing their supply chain is the virus itself.