TORONTO, Ont. — Truckers can take some comfort in the fact they should be among the first to receive vaccinations in the event of a pandemic, if the advice of a new study is heeded.

The medical journal Biosecurity and Bioterrorism disputes the theory that all the focus should be placed on protecting doctors and nurses in the event of a catastrophic pandemic. Instead, the study’s authors say utility workers and truck drivers should be a focus, since they are key to keeping supply chains flowing and infrastructure running.

“It takes a lot of people to keep society going,” professor Nancy Kass told the Toronto Star.

Researchers said the shift towards just-in-time deliveries mean stores will quickly run out of inventory without truckers. The study points out grocery stores typically have only three day’s worth of food and gas stations require deliveries every few days.

The Toronto Star article can be read here.