There is a shortage of vaccine refrigeration equipment across the United States. (Source: Reuters )
Overseas Network, November 16th: In order to safely store the new coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer, , states, cities and hospitals in the United States began to rush to buy ultra-low temperature refrigeration equipment. Some specialty refrigerator manufacturers are warning that demand for freezers in the United States is beginning to outstrip supply and that supply will take months.
According to Reuters, on the 9th of this month, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech SE said that early analysis showed that the new crown vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing symptomatic disease. This has brought attention to the safety of the final transportation and warehousing logistics of the vaccine. Because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had previously recommended that health care providers not purchase ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezing equipment, and due to the lack of infrastructure in various regions to support ultra-cold vaccine campaigns, various regions had to prepare refrigerated transportation before the vaccine could be put on the market. Equipment preparation.
Claire Hannan, executive director of the National Association for Immunization Management, said he estimates that one-third of the 50 states in the United States are purchasing ultra-low temperature storage equipment. The report pointed out that at least six states in the United States, including California, Rhode Island and New Mexico, criticized the CDC and said that due to the limited supply of freezers, these states that are planning to purchase vaccines are expected to face difficulties. challenge. The governor of Kentucky has also called on the federal government to provide funding for vaccine storage and hopes to quickly approve vaccines with low storage requirements.
In order to cope with the sudden demand, many refrigerator manufacturers are increasing their labor force and expanding production capacity. However, this move cannot meet current needs. Some specialist freezer manufacturers are warning of months-long waits for supplies. New York North Shore-Long Island Northwell Health said it has leased about 20 ultra-cold refrigerators for the purchase and storage of Pfizer vaccines, and the manufacturer now has a large number of orders to deliver. Some faster manufacturers say delivery wait times can now be as long as two months. Some smaller manufacturers have admitted that production of new orders has been delayed until next year. Vizient, which is responsible for purchasing for 5,000 medical systems, said, "Our delivery time is 18 months."
It is reported that the price of professional refrigeration equipment required for the vaccine produced by Pfizer is between US$5,000 (approximately RMB 33,000) and US$15,000 (approximately RMB 99,000). The vaccine must be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius or lower, which is equivalent to Antarctic winter temperatures. Reports say Pfizer's vaccine could receive regulatory approval within weeks and distribution could begin almost immediately. The vaccine will be shipped in suitcase-sized containers filled with dry ice that can only be opened twice a day, giving the vaccine a shelf life of up to two weeks. (Overseas Network Hou Xingchuan)
Source: Overseas Network
