Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

Firearms, Ammunition Seized And Three Males Arrested In Suspected “Straw Purchasing”: CFSEU

Firearms, Ammunition Seized And Three Males Arrested In Suspected “Straw Purchasing”: CFSEU
In late December 2020, information was received that led the CFSEU-BC Illegal Firearms Enforcement Team (IFET) to begin a firearm trafficking investigation into a suspected “straw purchaser”.

Firearms, Ammunition Seized And Three Males Arrested In Suspected “Straw Purchasing”: CFSEU

TransLink names interim CEO

TransLink names interim CEO
Chen-Kuo is currently TransLink’s General Counsel and Executive Vice-President of Corporate Services.

TransLink names interim CEO

B.C. police watchdog forwards report to Crown

B.C. police watchdog forwards report to Crown
A statement from the Independent Investigations Office says a man was seriously injured while being arrested by a Vancouver police officer on June 9, 2019.

B.C. police watchdog forwards report to Crown

COVID-19 cases rising again in Revelstoke, B.C.

COVID-19 cases rising again in Revelstoke, B.C.
The health authority says the cumulative total in the area is now "above 85 cases" since the start of the pandemic, up from 50 in early December.

COVID-19 cases rising again in Revelstoke, B.C.

B.C. homeowner grant raised by $100,000 this year

B.C. homeowner grant raised by $100,000 this year
The Ministry of Finance says the threshold for the 2021 homeowner grant has been set at $1.625 million, a $100,000 increase over last year.

B.C. homeowner grant raised by $100,000 this year

B.C. mink farmer destroys animals after COVID

B.C. mink farmer destroys animals after COVID
The first farm where the virus spread to mink also had eight workers who tested positive and Gunvaldsen says both farms remain under quarantine.

B.C. mink farmer destroys animals after COVID