Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine won't be available at local pharmacy anytime soon; here's why

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine showed more than 90 per cent efficacy in preventing coronavirus and w two companies are working to distribute experimental drug. However, potential coronavirus vaccine will t be coming to local pharmacies for general public any time soon. While coronavirus infections recently passed grim milestone of 50 million cases, American pharmaceutical company Pfizer said on vember 9 that interim analysis of its vaccine produced along with German partner BioNTech group has shown promising results. 

w, two companies first need to get regulators to sign off on shot before it can start shipping dispatching to those states which are considered most in need. But vaccine’s super-cold stor requirements are an obstacle for even most developed hospitals in United State and may impact when and where it is available in rural areas or poor countries where resources are tight. According to reports, main issue is that potential vaccine needs to be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius or below.

cold stor requirements could delay American pharmaceutical’s ability to reach rural healthcare systems and nursing homes or less wealthy nations, which may t have funds for refrigeration units. Ultra-cold freezer supplies are alrey limited as hospitals are scrambling to stock up. Some US states have also said that y have a short of ultra-cold freezers. 

RE: Biden Congratulates Pfizer For COVID-19 Vaccine Progress As Pence Gives Credit To Trump

RE: Trump Accuses Pfizer Of Delaying COVID-19 Vaccine Anuncement Until After Election Result

States scramble to stock up ultra-cold freezers 

According to public documents that states filed with US Centres for Disease Control, New Hampshire has purchased ultra-cold freezers and like or states is lobbying with Trump ministration for ditional funds. California has also said that refrigerator supplies are limited and roughly half of states’ health departments are looking in to purchase or leasing ditional cold stor supplies. 

Without appropriate equipment, doctors will have a dilemma, wher to store vaccines in standard refrigerators and deploy all 975 does in each Pfizer vaccine container or restock m with dry ice and open m only twice a day to extend vaccine’s life span. California has also proposed building a distribution network of ultra-cold freezers to reach underserved areas around state. 

RE: WHO Chief Tedros Welcomes 'encouraging' News On COVID-19 Vaccine From Pfizer, BioNTech

RE: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Anuncement Rocks Global Stock Markets