GPs could start offering Pfizer vax after ‘game-changing’ cold chain decision: Hunt
The health minister is optimistic the TGA will follow European regulators on 31-day vaccine storage advice
An international decision that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine can be stored at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C for up to a month is setting the stage for Australian GPs to administer it to under-50s, Minister for Health Greg Hunt says.
The cold-chain demands of the mRNA vaccine have created logistical headaches given it has to remain at -70°C for long-term storage.
The current TGA advice is that, once thawed, it should then only be stored for five days at normal fridge temperatures before administration.
But this week, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said the time frame could be extended to 31 days.
