FDA authorises higher storage and transport temp. for Pfizer vaccine

On February 25, 2021 in a press release the FDA authorised “alternative” storage and transport temperatures for Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine vials, to now allow the undiluted vials to be stored at “conventional temperatures commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers” for up to 2 weeks.  This move makes the vaccine more widely available.

This  follows Pfizer‘s Feb. 19 press release stating they have data to support higher temperatures, other than the sub-zero ( -80ºC to -60ºC (-112ºF to -76ºF)) that was required upon launch.  These ultra-low temperatures, to keep the mRNA stable, caused transport and storage logistical issues, plus many vaccines were being thrown before used up as they fell outside of the usage guidelines.

Since November 2020, Moderna’s vaccine, which also uses mRNA technology, only required a normal freezer temperature of ” 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) for 30 days”.