COVID-19: Pfizer vaccine is stored in normal freezing temperatures

THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday approved the storage of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine at a temperature similar to that of a regular pharmaceutical freezer, for a period of up to two weeks.

This eased previous conditions that required the vaccine to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, between -80 degrees Celsius and -60 degrees Celsius.

Pfizer submits data to the FDA to support these alternative temperatures for transportation and storage.

"It is hoped to help reduce the burden of obtaining ultra-low temperature storage equipment and assist in the wider distribution of vaccines," said Peter Marks, director of the FDA Center for Biological Evaluation and Research.

He said the FDA would update the fact sheet to health service providers following the latest ruling.

Pfizer previously submitted an application based on a study on the stability of the vaccine under warmer temperatures.

Once frozen, it can be stored in the refrigerator with temperatures between two and eight degrees Celsius, for up to five days.

It can be stored at room temperature for a period of not more than two hours.

Common pharmaceutical freezers typically operate at -20 degrees Celsius.