BioNTech/Pfizer: Vaccine can be stored at higher temps

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico


The vaccine could be stored at higher temperatures for two weeks, pending regulatory approval.


BY ASHLEIGH FURLONG
February 19, 2021 2:32 pm

The world’s chilliest coronavirus vaccine may have gotten a little warmer.

The BioNTech/Pfizer coronavirus vaccine — which currently needs to be transported in ultra-low temperatures between -80 to -60 degrees Celsius — can actually remain stable at much higher temperatures, the two companies announced today.

New data indicates that the vaccine is stable at -25 to -15 degrees Celsius, temperatures that are more commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers, Pfizer and BioNTech announced in a statement. They will submit this data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and if it's accepted, vials of the vaccine could be stored at these temperatures for two weeks.

The current ultra-cold storage requirement has been a significant stumbling block in transporting the mRNA vaccine, with many seeing it as less suitable for widespread use in countries that lack adequate ultra-cold chains.




Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/biontech-pfizer-vaccine-can-be-stored-at-higher-temps/

[Pobeka]

1. K&R. This is huge positive news for the distribution to remote locations! n/t

[csziggy]

2. I thought I had read this early along - and have wondered why it wasn't being mentioned

Because with these facts, large shipments of the vaccine could be delivered to large distribution centers, broken up into smaller batches for distribution, then thawed out for dosing. It's almost as if someone wanted the Pfizer vaccine to be a problem while the Moderna vaccine was so much easier to deal with.

[LisaL]

3. Company has to provide the data on how stable its vaccine is.

Pfizer only just now provided new data that its vaccine is stable for 2 weeks at higher temperature.

[csziggy]

4. OK found the Pfizer Fact Sheet from January 14, 2021

https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/COVID-Immunization/pfizer-biontech_covid-19_vaccine_fact_sheet_1.14.21.pdf

Excerpt:

Shelf Life

Cold Storage Facillity (-80 C to -60 C): 6 months
Thermal Shipper (-80 C to -60 C) 30 days if dry ice is replenished every 5 days
Standard Medical Refrigerator (2 C to 8 C) 5 days
Room Temperature (20 C to 22 C) 5 hours

This is what I had read and remembered. The new information adds Pharmaceutical Refrigerator storage for 2 weeks as new information.

Thanks for getting me to look it up and refresh my memory!

[Kimber432]

5. So happy to hear it, I'm getting my first

vaccination (Pfizer) on Friday, 2/26. Finally got through to the larger set-up at the state fairgrounds here. *Whew*

[iluvtennis]

6. Great news! nt