Pfizer, a major American pharmaceutical company that developed a new coronavirus vaccine, which is about a month after the start of inoculation to the elderly, said that it might reduce its effectiveness. Is not recommended, "he told the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
In principle, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare allows transportation to clinics, etc. in a refrigerated state of 2 to 8 degrees within 3 hours, but it seems that some local governments will review the transportation plan.
Pfizer vaccines may deteriorate in effectiveness and quality if vibrated in the unfrozen state. Therefore, in the package insert, the storage temperature should be around minus 75 degrees Celsius in principle, and minus 20 for up to 14 days. It is stipulated that it can be saved even before and after.
On the other hand, when the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare delivers the vaccine to the local government, in principle, if it is within 3 hours, put it in a cold storage bag prepared by the government and refrigerate it to 2 to 8 degrees. Allowed to be transported.
In response, Pfizer had informed the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of the view that "transportation at temperatures lower than -15 degrees Celsius is recommended" by March 1, according to an interview with the people concerned.
On the other hand, refrigerated transportation is "not recommended" and is required only when the local government determines that it is "unavoidable".
Pfizer is coordinating to publish these views in the near future.
Before the start of inoculation to the elderly from April 12, some local governments plan to use the cold storage delivery service and dry ice to transport the products in a frozen state, while preparing to refrigerate and transport them in cold storage bags. Some local governments are proceeding, and it seems that there will be a move to review the plan in response to Pfizer's view.