Pfizer-Bioentech’s COVID-19 vaccine. AFP=Yonhap News
– Pharmaceutical company Pfizer-Bioentech has submitted new research data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that there is no difference in the effectiveness of storing its novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine in a general freezer.
On the 19th (local time), CNN reported that Pfizer has demonstrated that its vaccine can be stably stored for two weeks at temperatures between -25 and -15 degrees Celsius. This temperature is the freezing temperature used in commercially widely used freezers, including household refrigerators.
Pfizer is an mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine that had to be distributed and stored at a cryogenic temperature around -75 degrees Celsius, and had to be defrosted and diluted before use.
Currently, Pfizer’s vaccine label informs us that it must be stored in a cryogenic freezer between -80 and -60 degrees Celsius, and in this case, it can be stored for up to 6 months. In addition, it is said that it can be stored at a normal refrigerator temperature (2 to 8 degrees Celsius) for up to 5 days before mixing with a salt thinner.
Pfizer’s submission of additional research data appears to be intended to update the FDA approval for emergency use so that it can be stored for two weeks even in moderately frozen conditions.
“If approved, this new storage method will provide pharmacies and vaccination centers with greater flexibility in managing the vaccine supply,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bulla.
Reporter Seok-Hyun Ko [email protected]
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