Pfizer Vaccine with Changed Storage Method to Be Administered at Designated Medical Institutions Starting July

Pfizer vaccines are stored in a vaccine-only refrigerator at the vaccination center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The refrigerated storage period for the Pfizer vaccine, a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine that requires a 'cold chain' for frozen distribution, will be extended until the 31st. This has also turned on a green light for the planned expansion of Pfizer vaccine administration at entrusted medical institutions starting in July.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 31st that it has completed the approval change regarding the storage period of thawed Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 'Comirnaty' after frozen storage.

Previously, unopened Pfizer vaccines stored frozen at -90 to -60℃ and then thawed could be refrigerated (at 2 to 8℃) for up to 5 days, but with this change, the refrigerated storage period has been extended to a maximum of 31 days.

This change in storage method has also turned on a green light for Pfizer vaccine administration at entrusted medical institutions scheduled for July. Earlier, the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team announced plans to administer Pfizer vaccines not only at vaccination centers but also at about 1,500 entrusted medical institutions nationwide starting in July.

Yang Dong-gyo, head of the Vaccination Implementation Division of the Promotion Team, said at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 27th, "Due to the complexities of storage, distribution, and pre-processing such as dilution and thawing before vaccination, Pfizer vaccines have been mainly administered at vaccination centers," adding, "From July, with the change in storage temperature, it is expected that the difficulties in vaccination and distribution will be somewhat alleviated."

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety received related data from Pfizer Korea on the 21st, thoroughly reviewed and examined it to approve this change. The changes have been reflected in the 'COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Transportation Management Guidelines' jointly prepared with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The guideline update also includes storage conditions for the Moderna vaccine, which will be introduced next month.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "With the extension of the refrigerated storage period for the Pfizer vaccine, convenience in storage and handling at vaccination sites is expected to improve," and added, "We will continue to do our best to promptly supply safe and effective vaccines to the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.