PFIZER AND BIONTECH have submitted new data to the Food and Drug Administration showing that their coronavirus vaccine can be stored at higher temperatures, a development that limits logistical challenges posed by transporting and storing a vaccine that until now has required extremely cold storage.

In a press release Friday, Pfizer said the data demonstrates "the stability" of its COVID-19 vaccine when stored at minus 13 degrees to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit – temperatures more commonly found in freezers and refrigerators in pharmacies.

Vaccine vials would be able to be stored at these temperatures for a total of two weeks "as an alternative or complement to storage in an ultra-low temperature freezer," the release stated.

Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine is currently labeled as needing to be stored at minus 112 degrees to minus 76 degrees for up to six months.

The vaccines currently need to be transported in specially designed thermal containers, which can be used as temporary storage for a month if they are refilled with dry ice every five days.

Due to its need to be stored at such cold temperatures, the Pfizer vaccine poses a challenge for areas and facilities that don't have access to ultra-cold freezers, making it less accessible as not all local pharmacies or vaccination sites have the needed storage.

Pfizer added that it anticipates the shelf life and expiration date of its vaccine could be extended and alternative short-term temperature storage could be considered as additional stability data is obtained.

(Source: US News)