Business Standard Pfizer working on cold storage issues to ensure temperature integrity
The company has developed detailed logistical plans and tools to support effective vaccine transport, storage, and temperature monitoring.
US pharma giant Pfizer is working out elaborate cold storage plans to ensure temperature integrity of its vaccine that requires to be maintained at -70 degree Celsius. Pfizer became the first vaccine maker to seek emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It applied for approval of its mRNA vaccine candidate, co-developed with BioNTech, on December 4. The company has developed detailed logistical plans and tools to support effective vaccine transport, storage, and temperature monitoring. “Globally, we will be utilising road and air modes of transportation via our carrier partners,” a Pfizer spokesperson said. “We have developed packaging and storage innovations to be fit for the range of locations around the globe where we believe vaccinations will take place,” the Pfizer spokesperson added. Pfizer has planned three options for storage. First, ultra-low temperature freezers available commercially that can extend shelf life for up to six months. Second, specially-designed, temperaturecontrolled thermal shippers, in which doses will arrive and can be used as temporary storage units. “The shipper can maintain the recommended storage condition -70 degree Celsius ±10 degree Celsius for 10 days unopened, which allows for transportation globally. Once opened, and if being used as temporary storage by a vaccination centre, it can be used for 30 days by reicing every five days,” the spokesperson said. Third, is to have refrigeration units that are commonly available in hospitals where vaccine can be stored for five days at 2-8 degree Celsius. “We will also utilise GPS-enabled thermal sensors that will enable us to track location and temperature across their pre-set routes,” the spokesperson said.