EU allows Pfizer vaccine to be stored in refrigerator for one month

According to the European Medicines Agency, unopened doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty vaccine can now be stored between 2 and 8 degrees for a month, up from a maximum of five days so far.

Christof STACHE AFP / Archivos

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The European Medicines Agency decided on Monday to authorize the storage for 31 days of doses of the Corminaty vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech at refrigerator temperature.

This is a much lower temperature than what was allowed until now and this decision should make it possible to speed up vaccination campaigns across the European Union. 

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According to the European Medicines Agency, unopened doses of

Pfizer-BioNTech's

Comirnaty vaccine

can now be stored between 2 and 8 degrees for a month, up from a maximum of five days so far.

Logistics should be greatly facilitated, with the focus on extended vaccine distribution well beyond the vaccination centers located in the largest cities.

Storage at -70 ° at the start

The first vaccine authorized in the EU on December 21, it was initially subjected to storage at -70 ° C in freezers which only the largest hospitals initially had, after transport by refrigerated truck in dry ice at -80 ° C. 

Already, two months ago, the authorization for storage in a conventional freezer between -15 ° and -25 ° had relaxed the conditions of use;

and for the European Medicines Agency, Monday's decision will have "

a significant impact

" on vaccination campaigns.

Only 36% of European adults vaccinated

Around 143 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been distributed in Europe, far ahead of the 43 million of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the 19 million of Moderna. 

Vaccination campaigns in Europe need a serious boost to reach the confidently trumpeted goal of the European Commission of 70% of adults vaccinated in July.

So far, only 36% of European adults have received a first dose and less than 15% are fully vaccinated

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  • Vaccines

  • Coronavirus

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