Pfizer, BioNTech Ask FDA to Approve Easier Vaccine Storage
- Companies say Covid shot stable at normal freezer temperatures
- Change from ultra-cold storage could ease distribution
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Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow their Covid-19 vaccine to be stored for two weeks at temperatures found in normal pharmaceutical freezers, a change that could simplify distribution for the shot.
The partners submitted new data showing stability when the vaccine is stored at minus-25 to minus-15 degrees Celsius (-13°F to 5°F), they said in a statement on Friday. Current protocol is for storage for up to six months in an ultra-cold freezer at temperatures of minus-80ºC to minus-60ºC and shipping in a special thermal container.