London, UK: The Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine could pose some “logistical issues” because it needs to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, experts have warned.
Many vaccines which require cold storage need to be kept at around 4C or lower but it has been suggested that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine needs to be stored at temperatures as low as -80C. This could pose problems for transport and storage of the vaccine.
Professor Gordon Dougan, infectious disease and vaccine specialist from the University of Cambridge, said: “There’s logistical issues. Most vaccines you would store in the cold, say 4C or below – you wouldn’t necessarily have them frozen like this certainly at -70C.”
According to reports in the Times, the vaccine must be stored at ultra-low temperatures up until the day it is used in order to protect the genetic material inside.
This could make it difficult for GP clinics and care homes to store, the reports add.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it would be “a mammoth logistical operation” and highlighted some of the challenges, including getting it from Belgium to the UK while not deviating from a temperature of -70C more than four times.
The British Medial Association said that, due to the logistics and delivery requirements, it was likely that groups of GP practices would need to work together with one “designated vaccination site”.
The vaccine, which Pfizer claims is 90% effective, will not be released for use until it passes final safety tests and gets the go-ahead from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
The UK has ordered 40 million doses – enough to vaccinate up to 20 million people as each person will need two doses for it to work effectively.
