The FDA said Thursday that the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine can be stored at the normal temperature of a pharmaceutical freezer, making the picture easier to carry and store.
Previously, the vaccine had to be stored at less than 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
The new guidelines say that the vaccine can stay at freezer temperatures for up to two weeks before it is given.
“Pfizer submitted data to the FDA to support this alternative temperature for transportation and storage. This alternative temperature is for transporting and storing the filters without significantly damaging and allowing the filters to be transported and stored under more flexible conditions. The alternative temperature for transportation and storage will help reduce the burden of getting ultra-low temperature cold storage equipment for vaccine sites and should help get vaccines to more sites, ”said Peter Marks, MD , Ph.D., director of the FDA Center. for Biological Assessment and Research.
The Pfizer vaccine comes in two doses, which means that those who are vaccinated will be asked to return in three weeks to get an increase. Circulation of the vaccine has become more difficult due to the extremely cold temperatures required to store the vaccines.
The Pfizer vaccine is one of two coronavirus vaccines licensed for emergency use.
Pfizer said it hopes to have 1.3 billion doses of the vaccine distributed worldwide by the end of 2021.
On Thursday, the U.S. passed over 50 million Americans who received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine. About half of those 50 million are waiting for the second dose of the vaccine.