Pfizer's new coronavirus vaccine delivered refrigerated in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, was mistakenly frozen again at two medical institutions, and a total of 169 people were discarded and 21 people were inoculated. I understand.

In Tokorozawa City, vaccines were delivered refrigerated to medical institutions in the city from the 13th of this month, and inoculation to the elderly began on the 17th.



Pfizer vaccines, when transported refrigerated, can only be stored for 5 days and cannot be frozen and stored again.



Of these, one medical institution that delivered the vaccine for 180 people knew that it could not be re-frozen, but visually determined that the vaccine was frozen and stored it in a freezer at -20 degrees Celsius. It means that it was done.



However, since the vaccine was delivered refrigerated from the city on the 17th of this month, an email was sent to warn against refreezing, indicating that it had been refrozen, and the vaccine for 159 people was discarded. It means that it was done.



However, at this point, 21 people had already been vaccinated with the refrozen vaccine.



According to the city, all the inoculated people have no health problems and will continue to follow up for the time being.



In addition, another medical institution also found that the vaccine for 10 people had been re-frozen and was discarded, which means that the vaccine for a total of 169 people was discarded.



As a measure to prevent recurrence, the city will post "freezing prohibited" on the delivery bag and hold an urgent briefing session on the 19th to remind the city of proper handling.



Tokorozawa City says, "There is no major change in the inoculation plan due to disposal, but we want to thoroughly prevent recurrence."