COVID-19, which entered our lives at the end of 2019 and left the whole world to grapple with an epidemic that it could not get out of yet, continues to change shape with the discovery of different vaccines. The biggest precaution for COVID-19, which continues with different variants while finding vaccines, testing stages, and distribution, is still using masks. However, the availability of COVID-19 vaccine preservation and storage conditions are among the steps that will strengthen our hands while fighting with Covid 19.
So, what are the COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions? Are they achievable, and what are their requirements? In this article, we have gathered the answers to any questions about COVID-19 vaccine preservation.
COVID-19 Vaccine Storage
With the collaboration of science and technology, vaccines have been used for many diseases from the past to the present, and they are supplied to people in a healthy way. However, vaccines have an extremely perishable structure, and their effectiveness can be discussed only when they are distributed under the right storage conditions.
As of last year, most vaccines started and developed are RNA-based. This increases the risk of deterioration to extremely negative or positive degrees. So, how do the relevant institutions provide the COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions, and how is the supply made? The most important condition is the preservation of the cold chain. The cold chain is a concept that has a great place in our daily lives.
Just as the temperature at which frozen foods are preserved from the moment they are prepared to the moment they reach the consumer is monitored so that they do not deteriorate, the same applies to COVID-19 vaccine preservation and storage. In other words, after the vaccines are prepared, the ambient temperature should be followed until they are used by the people who will be vaccinated.
Storage and Preservation of Coronavirus Vaccines
The coronavirus is not a pandemic that affects any single country. Therefore, vaccines are supplied to almost every country in the world from developed vaccines. Moreover, studies have indicated that a single dose is insufficient in vaccines; two or even three doses are needed. That means more vaccine supplies. More vaccine supplies also mean a more complicated cold chain. Some missing points in the currently implemented cold chain and development studies are required for the supply chain.
The ideal vaccine storage condition for many vaccines is 17.2 degrees Celsius. However, this temperature varies for all vaccines developed based on different principles. This difference should not be forgotten when talking about COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions. For example, the ideal temperature for Moderna, one of the most common vaccines, has been calculated as -15.5 degrees Celsius.
Biontech, which is currently the most preferred and recommended vaccine in terms of protection, requires preservation at 34.5 degrees Celsius. None of these temperatures can be easily obtained and maintained for a long time, making it very difficult to provide long-term COVID-19 vaccine preservation.
Vaccines Found, Supply Chain Failed
As you may remember, while vaccine studies continued rapidly, one of the most mentioned issues was the COVID-19 vaccine storage conditions. Many countries discussed the problem of obtaining the vaccine as soon as it was available and how COVID-19 vaccine preservation could be provided. Research on this subject shows that almost a quarter of the vaccines in the first stage of vaccine supplies deteriorate when they reach their destination.
Due to the COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions, the vaccine cannot be kept at the required temperature. The vaccines are destroyed if this is noticed during transportation or in any subsequent process. On the other hand, if the temperature cannot be maintained in some way and the vaccine is administered before this is noticed, it has been observed that the vaccine does not cause any side effects to the person.
However, of course, coronavirus vaccines that are not protected and supplied at the right temperatures lose their protection. Since there is a global epidemic, vaccine protection is of great importance. The right medical cooler equipment, such as vaccine freezer models, can avoid this problem.
Covid 19 Vaccine Preservation Conditions
In fact, the temperature ranges listed in the COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions can be provided when the vaccine is on its way. However, maintaining the temperature in the supply process is, of course, more difficult. The damage caused by not providing these temperatures is over 34 billion USD annually. Although this material damage may seem high, it loses its importance when the scale of the global pandemic and its moral and economic effects on countries are considered.
These losses can be compensated by providing the correct COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions to end the pandemic. The increase in these losses will contribute to the faster spread of the Coronavirus while also extending the time it takes for countries to leave the virus behind. Such a delay poses a great danger to health, the economy, education, and commerce.
Studies indicate that the number of COVID-19 vaccines needed worldwide is 12-15 billion. Considering the currently produced vaccines and their procurement stages, COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions should also be provided, and COVID-19 vaccines should be produced regularly. This will create a large increase in the number of vaccines expected to be produced annually, but existing companies are expected to be able to meet this need.
What are the Cold Chain Elements?
Whether it is a vaccine or any other product, airplanes, trucks, and cold storage are required to maintain the cold chain. How these elements are provided determines the vaccine manufacturers and those who request the vaccine. The temperature of storage needed, counted among the COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions, is provided when the vaccine is transferred from the point of production to the nearest airport by trucks.
Vaccines, which are transported by plane, are then transported by trucks to cold storage warehouses, where suitable temperatures are provided. Of course, as we mentioned again, these processes may vary according to the needs of the receiving party. Likewise, it is possible for all vaccines to be transported directly to the points where they will be administered without being transported to cold storage.
Duties of Related Parties in the Development of the Cold Chain
First, the producer point must be determined to develop cold chain processes. If the place of manufacture is outside the country, domestic companies must allocate vehicles for domestic transportation and accessibility. The temperature inside these vehicles is also expected to be suitable for COVID-19 vaccine storage conditions.
Of course, transportation does not provide all the necessary conditions for COVID-19 vaccine preservation. Likewise, the personnel who deal with this issue need to be trained. The training of the relevant personnel should include both the monitoring of temperatures and the different COVID-19 vaccine storage conditions of different vaccines.
It should also be determined how often the vaccines can be delivered to the destinations and met. COVID-19 vaccine storage conditions should also be provided at maintenance and storage points. Of course, there is another point where all this connects. And that is the use of coolers that can provide COVID-19 vaccine storage conditions. These coolers cannot be used like standard coolers and require special production. This raises the issue of additional cost and distribution. In this context, the world’s leading logistics distribution companies, such as UPS and DHL, are making various investments.
An eco-vaccine refrigerator is one of the solutions that is offered. Thanks to the eco vaccine refrigerator, an environment suitable for different newly developed vaccine varieties is provided. In this way, vaccine transportation becomes faster and hassle-free. At Coolermed, you can find the best medical coolers that suit your interests. Visit our website now for more information.
Vaccine Saves Lives!
Vaccines will save lives and speed up the restoration of order. However, defining and developing the cold chain is the most important thing to do to achieve this. To meet COVID-19 vaccine preservation conditions, you can visit Coolermed. At Coolermed, you will find the best medical coolers to preserve your vaccines, from vaccine refrigerators to vaccine cabinets.
You can read our previous article from https://coolermed.com/blood-storage-conditions/.
