As with fashion, the vaccine has its summer collection.

The Pfizer laboratory has announced that it is preparing "for the summer" a version of its anti-Covid vaccine, already diluted and which can be stored for months at the temperature of a conventional refrigerator, in order to facilitate its use.

Currently the vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees.

“We're trying to see if we can extend its refrigeration time during which you can take the vaccine out of a -70 degree super-freezer and put it in a 'classic' -20 degree freezer.

It is currently two weeks, but we are studying the data to see if it can be extended to one month - subject to a regulatory green light, explained Albert Bourla, the boss of the American pharmaceutical giant.

In addition, we are working on another, much improved formula where the vaccine would be supplied already diluted, ready to use.

It could be stored for two to three months in a refrigerator, at two to eight degrees, in addition to two to three months in a conventional freezer.

We expect to be able to dispose of it this summer.

"

"Optimistic" on the ability of the serum to counter the Indian variant

Regarding the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine against different variants, the CEO of the group assured that it was 97% effective against the British variant, 100% against the South African variant.

Concerning the Brazilian variant, he assures us that “data from Brazil show that it allows very good control”.

“On the new variant from India, we have no data, but I am optimistic about our ability to control it.

We have developed a process whereby as soon as a variant is of concern, we are able to have an effective vaccine in 100 days, and I am comfortable with this demanding goal, due to the efficacy. messenger RNA technology, ”he continues.

"Propose pricing allowing fair access"

Albert Bourla also explained that the Pfizer laboratory hoped to finalize in the coming days, a new contract with the EU (for 1.8 billion doses). “If we take it down, we'll be able to produce all the doses here in Europe, including the components. And we will be able to produce much more than the volumes of this contract! », He affirmed.

Finally, the boss of Pfizer defended the price of his vaccine, one of the most expensive on the market and which could increase further in Europe.

“Our strategy is to offer pricing that allows fair access to all.

Fair, this does not mean the same price for all, it means giving more to those who need it.

Thus, we have a premium price range for high-income countries - Europe, United States, Japan, Canada… -, but the highest price corresponds to the addition of a meal, which remains very, very reasonable.

For middle-income countries, according to the World Bank, we're cutting the price in half.

And for low-income countries, of course we provide them at cost, so that immunization reaches all corners of the globe ”.

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  • Covid 19

  • Pfizer-BioNTech

  • Coronavirus

  • Anti-covid vaccine

  • Vaccination

  • Health

  • Vaccine