Demonstration vials are removed from the Renergen's working prototype cold-chain storage called Cryo-Vacc, that can keep COVID-19 vaccines ultra-cold during transportation, at a media launch in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 15, 2021. REUTERS/Sumaya
Doha: International standards and procedures are followed in Qatar to store COVID-19 vaccine, said Executive Director, Drug Supply at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. Nora Al Obaidan.
In a media statement, she has clarified that Qatar has the facility to store both Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
“From the moment of receipt, transport to warehouses and dispatch later to targeted health centers, the vaccine supplies are handled with utmost care and highest standards of storage to ensure their safety until vaccines are administrated to the public,” said Dr. Al Obaidan.
“Several precautionary measures have been taken for receiving and handling vaccine supplies, including simulation exercises for shipping and receipt the by the expert team have been conducted to ensure that the safe transport and handling of these supplies within the specified temperature parameters. Since the start of vaccine supplies receipt in Qatar, the process of transporting the supplies to HMC warehouses, and distributing them to the intended centers has been carried out in accordance with international standards and under strict control by HMC and the Ministry of Public Health,” Dr. Al Obaidan added.
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have different storage conditions. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID -19 vaccines must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius, +- 15 degrees until the expiry date.
According to Dr. Al Obaidan, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can be kept at a temperature 2-8 degrees Celsius, +- 5 degrees celsius for a period of 5 days prior to administration. Each Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine package contains 6 vaccination units and can keep at room temperature for 6 hours only.
“Moderna, COVID-19 vaccine, should be stored at -20 degrees Celsius until the expiry date. This vaccine can also be kept at a temperature 2-8 degrees Celsius for a period of 30 days prior to administration. It can keep at room temperature for 12 hours only, but once one dose has been used from the package the rest of the package has to be used within 6 hours,” Dr. Al Obaidan said.
Dr. Al Obaidan has emphasized that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, can fight the new COVID-19 strains, considered the most safe and effective amongst the vaccines against COVID-19 that have been developed.
“These vaccines have been subjected to many clinical tests and trials which proved an effectiveness percentage reaching 95%. The side effects associated with both vaccines are similar to those of any other vaccine. They are mild to moderate and limited to slight fever and soreness around the vaccination prick, Dr. Al Obaidan said.
“There is no difference between the two vaccines in terms of efficacy and safety. The only difference is the interval between the first and second doses of Pfizer-BionTechvaccine is 21 days while the interval between the two doses of Moderna vaccine is 28 days,” she said.
Dr. Al Obaidan highlighted that the vaccination process consists of two doses. To achieve the best outcome, the second dose has to be taken on the date specified by healthcare professionals.
She added, that following the two doses, individuals must continue to take protective measures. It is important to understand that the body needs two weeks to form antibodies following the second dose of the vaccine. The first and second dose must be of the same vaccine, whether it is Pfizer- BioNTech or Moderna.
