When Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) needed a reliable partner to manage their Children’s School Age Immunisation Service (CSAIS), EMED Courier Services devised a comprehensive, temperature-controlled solution that ensured vaccine integrity, minimised wastage, and transformed the delivery process.
A proven partnership
EMED Courier Services has had a long-standing partnership with EPUT since March 2021. Originally established to support the transport of pharmacy supplies to hospitals and Mental Health Units across Essex, this collaboration evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic when EMED was asked to play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective distribution of coronavirus vaccines across the county.
Having proven its ability to manage complex medical logistics and sensitive deliveries during the pandemic, EPUT approached EMED to take over their CSAIS programme within schools, which required a specialist courier capable of meeting strict standards
A specialist approach
The effective delivery of flu vaccines within school settings for a programme of this scale presented unique logistical challenges. Ensuring vaccine integrity was crucial as maintaining strict temperature ranges was vital for their efficacy. Without a specialised courier, breaches in temperature control had previously led to wastage and increased costs for EPUT.
Deliveries needed to align with busy school schedules to minimise disruptions, but the lack of systematic planning had resulted in delays. Handling sensitive medical supplies also requires a level of care and professionalism that generalist courier services are not equipped to provide.
It was clear that the programme required a provider with expertise in medical logistics and the flexibility to adapt to sudden changes.
Making every vaccine count
EMED implemented a highly coordinated and detailed operational framework that prioritised efficiency and professionalism. Collaborating hand in hand with EPUT’s pharmacy team, EMED has ensured precise scheduling through constant coordination. Our Operations Managers verify vaccine preparations in person each evening and manage morning distributions to ensure accuracy. The constant communication with the pharmacy and school nurses allows teams to rapidly adjust to changes and minimise any disruptions.
By introducing temperature-controlled vans, EMED maintains optimal vaccine conditions and has eliminated breaches and vaccine wastage. EMED’s drivers uphold strict standards to guarantee safe transport and maintain professionalism within school settings. By creating a culture that emphasises the vital role of our drivers in safeguarding children’s health, the team has transformed the school vaccine programme across Essex.
Safeguarding Children’s Health
As of 2025, EMED Courier Services has delivered over 450,000 vaccines to schools across Essex with over 2,000 pickups and deliveries at nearly 1,000 locations. In that time, not a single vaccine has breached for its efficacy.
The remarkable success of this programme is testament to the dedication, innovation and meticulous planning and coordination of the Courier Services Team. The incredible consistency they have achieved has redefined vaccine delivery standards and set the benchmark for medical courier services in the region.
Find out how a life-changing experience for Fethi, Operations Manager for the EPUT contract, inspired his work with Courier Services.
The success of the CSAIS delivery programme across Essex has been built on the back of EMED’s dedication and focus on professionalism leading a well-trained and well led team. Daily communication, excellent planning, and flexibility has resulted in the astonishing fact that no vaccine has become unusable since I was first entrusted into the care of EMED.
EMED is a reliable and professional partner and it is a pleasure to work with them. Co-ordinating the supply and transfer of hundreds of thousands of vaccines across a country as large and variable as Essex has gone from being one of the most difficult tasks to one of the least stress-inducing thanks to the team’s constant availability, flexibility and problem-solving.
