Annex 17 – Security in Chapter 4.6 requires that air cargo and mail shipments be secured and protected from unauthorized interference before being loaded on board a commercial aircraft. Implementation of aviation security procedures for the secure transport of vaccines includes: screening where it is practicable; implementing secure supply chain procedures; and by applying exemptions from screening for biomedical materials (BIOM).
States may also wish to take into consideration other Annex 17 Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) which may be applicable in their context for ensuring the security of COVID-19 vaccine shipments and transport operations in the civil aviation environment, such as the conduct of effective risk assessments1, landside security measures2, and requirements relating to cybersecurity3.
Chapter 13 of the ICAO Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973 – Restricted) provides guidance on how States should establish an air cargo and mail secure supply chain. Secure supply chain measures are a robust method for securing COVID-19 vaccines, whilst ensuring a smooth flow of the shipments throughout the supply chain. The State’s Appropriate Authority for aviation security (AA) must approve and exercise oversight over regulated agents, known consignors, and/or other entities approved by the AA, so that cargo handled by these entities can be considered ‘known cargo’, and be loaded on board commercial aircraft without the need to undergo additional security screening.
Where secure supply chain measures are not available, paragraphs 13.5.5.15 and 13.5.5.16 of Doc 8973 provide guidance on alternative security measures to secure special categories of air cargo and mail, in compliance with ICAO Annex 17 – Security. Due to the unusual storage conditions needed by some COVID-19 vaccines, screening may not be an effective means of securing such shipments. Where screening and secure supply chain processes cannot be applied, the AA may allow for alternative security procedures (e.g. verification of accompanying air way bills; visual inspections for any signs of tampering, etc.) to be applied to secure COVID-19 vaccine4 shipments for carriage on commercial aircraft. Please refer to paragraphs 13.5.5.15 and 13.5.5.16 of Doc 8973 for further information.