Ultra-cold storage is required for some vaccines, especially Pfizer. (Image via Reuters)

Japan sets up guideline to store COVID-19 vaccine

On Monday, the Japanese Government planned to set up guidelines for the safe transport of the vaccines for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine. The news was unveiled by Japan's Health Minister, Norihisa Tamura, as the country is looking forward to vaccinating its 126 million population by mid-February.

Storing and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine pose their own logistical challenges. While each vaccine has different characteristics, Pfizer's vaccine has more than 90 percent effectiveness, yet the storage requires a temperature of -75 degrees Celcius. Therefore, speaking at a meeting with the House of Representatives' Budget Committee, Tamura stated that the information of proper storage and distribution of COVID-19 must be made, even to local governments.

As early as Sunday, the first batch of Pfizer's vaccine should arrive in Japan from Belgium. Exactly one day before its scheduled use, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare is set to approve it. Initially, the plan is to vaccinate 10,000 health workers in February, then the other health workers, the elderly, and people with existing conditions.

Previously, the Japanese Government has extended the state of emergency in 10 prefectures, especially the capital of Japan, as it got hit the hardest among the 47 prefectures, to 7 March.

A team formed by the Health Ministry will also begin to monitor the safety of the vaccine by recording the symptoms among the inoculated medical workers. Some 20,000 doctors and nurses from 100 Japanese hospitals are set to participate. Moreover, the Japanese Government will divide the vaccine into two doses with 21 days intervals. During the interval, they will be monitored.

The Japanese Government has landed a deal to procure vaccines more than enough for its population, 72 million came from Pfizer, while the remaining vaccines are sponsored by AstraZeneca and Moderna. Moreover, about 20,000 ultra-cold storage are set to be distributed to store the Pfizer vaccine. While AstraZeneca's vaccine may endure at 2 to 8 degrees Celcius, it's only 70 percent effective.

For the distribution of the vaccines, the Japanese Government has set the Yamato Holdings Co., Seino Holdings Co., and DHL International GmbH.

Source: https://bit.ly/3q34OFP