Storing vaccine appropriately
Effective process control is essential to ensure that vaccines are stored correctly and new expiry dates and times are allocated.
Storage prior to dilution
COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech may be stored for up to 31 days between 2ºC and 8ºC, followed by an additional 2 hours at room temperature.
Storage subsequent to dilution
After dilution the vaccine should be used as soon as practically possible and within 6 hours.
Effective process control is essential to ensure that vaccines are stored correctly and new expiry dates/times are allocated with further Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech available to support this.
Handling and preparing vaccine
Handling
Delivery of vaccine to supply hubs will be at Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) where vaccine should be labelled with a 31-days shelf-life and transferred to a dedicated fridge for thawing.
- Onward supply to school vaccination sites or teams will be at 2-8C in coolboxes in response to orders/requisitions to the hub..
- The exact number of vials ordered by end users should be packed securely in a coolbox immediately before onward supply.
- Packing down of quantities less than an original pack of 195 vials for stock to be stored in anticipation of orders should NOT occur.
Dilution
The COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer BioNTech is a multi-dose vial containing a concentrate. It must be further diluted with preservative free sodium chloride 0.9% before being withdrawn into syringes for administration.
- Robust systems are required to prevent inadvertent administration of the concentrate vaccine.
- Ensure vials of concentrate are effectively segregated from diluted vials.
- Only one vial of vaccine should be in use at any one time.
Full process
Pfizer has produced a training video which shows the correct handling and preparation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech. SPS has also produced a training video for further support.
Each step of the process described changes the vaccine characteristics that will require a change in the shelf life. This requires diligent process control to ensure the vaccine is safe and effective at the point of use.