West Pharma doubles its workforce making Covid vaccine vial components

pandemic pharmaceutical public health Pharma West Pharma

Image Courtesy of @WestPharma

The huge demand for components for injection vials as a result of Covid-19 has led to West Pharma to double its workforce in Ireland\’s South East.

West Pharmaceutical Services’ Waterford plant will supply millions of rubber vial stoppers to over a dozen global customers, that could be used to package over a billion vaccine doses in multi-dose vials.

West says the plant has doubled its workforce to meet the new demand, with the company now employing over 260 team members here.

“We are committed to doing our part to provide for the large-scale manufacture of high-quality components required to serve customer needs for the delivery of a safe, effective Covid-19 vaccine,” said Don O’Callaghan, West’s VP for European Operations.

“This has resulted in growing our global workforce, expanding facility and equipment resources, and shifting to 24/7 operating schedules at several sites to address the demand for components associated with Covid-19.”

West invested upwards of $125 million in the Waterford facility, which is on a 44-acre site that allows for future expansion.

The Waterford plant also produces proprietary elastomeric laminate sheeting, which is used to package insulin for use in pen injectors.

Source: Irelandsoutheast.com