Pfizer was able to deliver a Covid-19 bullet to South African vaccine points

Pfizer said it could deliver its Covid-19 vaccine, which requires ultra-cold temperatures for its storage and distribution, directly to vaccine points in South Africa.

South Africa is scrambling to get supplies after the AstraZeneca vaccine they had planned to use to launch their vaccine campaign has significantly reduced the effectiveness of the now-defunct Covid-19 virus. control of the country.

Pfizer said it had given vaccine doses to South Africa and was currently in talks with the government.

“We are able to move directly to the vaccination point in a thermal conductor that maintains the ultra-low temperature required for up to 10 days without opening,” Pfizer told Reuters in an email response to questions. late Tuesday.

Also read | BioNTech will start production at a new Covid-19 vaccine facility in Germany

The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine needs to be stored and distributed at around -70 degrees Celsius, requiring importing countries to have ultra-cold chain capabilities.

That is a potential hurdle for countries including those in Africa with weak public health systems.

“We have experience in distributing, storing and administering the vaccine at our Level 3 test sites around the world (including South Africa) and so on. we already know that the processes we use work, and it is possible for patients to be dosed at the points of vaccination, “Pfizer said.

South Africa says it has received 20 million doses from Pfizer, with delivery starting in the second quarter. It also expects to receive 117,000 hits of Pfizer in the first quarter from the COVAX facility co-managed by the World Health Organization.

“The supply to South Africa and to COVAX is made at our site in Puurs, Belgium,” Pfizer said.