Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Pfizer says vaccine safe in normal freezers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Feb, 2021 07:36 PM
  • Pfizer says vaccine safe in normal freezers

Pfizer and BioNTech say their COVID-19 vaccine can now safely be stored in regular freezers for up to two weeks, potentially easing some of the difficulty getting the vaccine distributed outside of major cities.

Pfizer's vaccine has been the trickiest to handle because until now the companies said it had to be kept frozen between -60C and -80C until shortly before it is thawed and injected.

The companies asked the United States to adjust the vaccine's emergency-use authorization to note the temperature change Friday and a Canadian spokeswoman says they intend to ask Health Canada to do so in the next few weeks.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Health Canada regulators are already in talks with the companies about the matter and will be ready to make a decision when the request comes.

Canada bought dozens of ultracold freezers to help provinces properly store the Pfizer vaccine and chose not to use this vaccine for the territories or other remote locations because of the freezer requirements.

In documents filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Pfizer and BioNTech say further testing shows the vaccine can remain stable for up to two weeks in temperatures between -15C and -25C, which is typical of more common freezers, including those used in pharmacies and medical clinics.

MORE National ARTICLES

Charan Gill, Founder of PICS, passes away

Charan Gill, Founder of PICS, passes away
In 1987 he founded PICS that still standing today and provides essential services to the community.

Charan Gill, Founder of PICS, passes away

Demand up, supply down in Vancouver home sales

Demand up, supply down in Vancouver home sales
The board reports 2,389 home sales in the region last month, which was a 22.8 per cent decrease from the red-hot housing market in December.

Demand up, supply down in Vancouver home sales

One dead, two hurt in B.C. mining accident

One dead, two hurt in B.C. mining accident
A statement from Toronto-based New Gold says the three workers at the New Afton gold and copper mine were hit by a flow of mud debris early Tuesday.

One dead, two hurt in B.C. mining accident

Help identify suspect linked to four separate robberies: Surrey RCMP

Help identify suspect linked to four separate robberies: Surrey RCMP
The Surrey RCMP Robbery Unit has taken conduct of what appears to be a string of robberies with similar circumstances that took place on January 18, 19, 23, and 27, 2021.

Help identify suspect linked to four separate robberies: Surrey RCMP

Vancouver Police appeals for information in Downtown EastSide sexual assault

Vancouver Police appeals for information in Downtown EastSide sexual assault
Police are asking witnesses or people with information about the assault to contact investigators.

Vancouver Police appeals for information in Downtown EastSide sexual assault

Trudeau highlights risk of COVID-19 variants

Trudeau highlights risk of COVID-19 variants
The move is one of several measures meant to choke off entry of the virus into Canada, but comes after case numbers of more transmissible variants have begun to rise.

Trudeau highlights risk of COVID-19 variants