Depending on the molecules they contain and the properties that govern them, vaccines must be kept at different temperatures. In order for them to maintain optimum quality, it is essential that they remain at a low temperature.
-1606490517.jpg "Why do vaccines need to be kept cool?")
- Vaccines must be kept cool to optimize the proteins and antigens that make up the product.
- The higher the temperature, the more the vaccine loses its effectiveness.
- It is imperative to keep vaccines in the refrigerator. However, in countries where access to electricity is uncertain, solutions exist to do the best, in particular with devices running on solar energy.
Producing a vaccine is not an easy task, preserving it for a long time is just as delicate. With the upcoming arrival of the first vaccines against Covid-19, many countries are wondering how they will keep these treatments, which require special attention.
Lower the temperature to optimize efficiency
Respecting the cold chain is essential because this is what gives the vaccine all its properties. If the temperature varies too much, the product may degrade and lose effectiveness. When stored in traditional refrigerators, vaccines lose their effectiveness after five days. Above 45°C, the proteins present in vaccines denature rapidly and lose all potency because the structure of the antigen is destroyed. If by chance, the antigen present in the vaccine is exposed to a temperature of 60°C, the latter becomes completely ineffective after three hours.
Thus, it is obvious that the proteins present in the vaccines do not support temperature variations, in particular in the event of freezing/thawing. During rapid freezing, ice crystals can form, which increases the risk of proteins coming into contact with each other, which could damage them.
In addition, although hospitals are equipped with refrigeration equipment to store vaccines, nothing says that they can reach very low temperatures. This is particularly a problem for the vaccine against Covid-19 developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, which uses messenger RNA and which must be stored at -70°C. Some American hospitals have already indicated that it is currently impossible for them to have refrigerators capable of reaching this standard. It is this logistical obstacle that has prompted many countries to turn to the solution proposed by Moderna, which is based on the same process as Pfizer, but which must be maintained at only -20°C.
The issue of hot countries
Obviously, this poses a problem for hot countries, or in areas where electrification is not efficient or continuous. A prolonged power outage could alter the stability of the product, rendering the vaccine ineffective. To compensate for this effect, it is not uncommon to find in developing countries with sunny climates, vaccine refrigerators powered by solar energy.
It is also to avoid these pitfalls and make the product more easily usable in hot areas that the Pfizer laboratory has announced in the columns of Business Insider work on a second version of the Covid-19 vaccine, which this time would be in powder form.
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