The European agency EMA has given the green light to a new formulation of Pfizer / BioNTech’s anti-Covid vaccine, which is storable at temperatures of a typical refrigerator for up to two and a half months. The latest version of Comirnaty will be available from the beginning of 2022, with a gradual launch.
In February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the storage of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at the standard temperature for drug freezers for two weeks.
In December 2020, FDA had issued a permit for the emergency use of the vaccine at temperatures from -80 to -60 degrees Celsius. After the presentation of new data by Pfizer, FDA allowed it to be stored in temperatures from 25 to -15 degrees Celsius for two weeks. In May 2021, the FDA allowed Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be stored for up to 1 month in a regular refrigerator after thawing and before diluting before injection.
The increased shelf life of the vaccine at higher temperatures meant that it would be more readily available for use in remote areas. The developing countries like India too could add Comirnaty to the basket of offerings in future.
The transportation and long-term storage of the vaccine are carried out at a temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius.