Mass vaccination drive took off in most of the countries around the world. However, there are still some clouds regarding the side effects and effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine in warmer temperatures.
Germany’s BioNTech and its US partner Pfizer announced on Friday that their coronavirus vaccine can stand warmer temperatures than what was thought initially. They have test results indicate the fact.
Under the existing guidelines, the vaccine needs to be stored at minus 80 to minus 60 C for five days before usage. The entire process is delicate which requires special ultra-cold containers and dry ice for shipping and storage purposes.
However, the recent test results indicate that the coronavirus vaccine can be stored for up to two weeks at minus 25 and minus 15 C. This range of temperature is common in refrigerators and pharmaceutical freezers.
If approved, the new storage option will offer vaccination centers and pharmacies greater flexibility.
The vaccine provided by US firm Moderna uses similar technology as the previous one. However, this one can remain stable at minus 20 C for six months and normal fridge temperature for up to 30 days.
Another approved vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca/Oxford, claims to use more traditional vaccine methods and can be shipped and stored at standard fridge temperatures.
Apart from solving the temperature issue while storing and shipping, all the vaccine firms have also started to test their coronavirus vaccine on healthy pregnant women. Around 4,000 pregnant women have been included in the trials belonging to the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Britain, Spain, Mozambique, and South Africa.
Those in the US have already received their first dose.
The rising temperature has been a matter of concern while providing vaccination in warmer countries around the world. Once the temperatures are approved, it will be easier for vaccination centers and pharmacies to store the vaccine. Hopefully, the global vaccine drive will gain more speed.
