01:07USA: Hospitals expand ultra-cold freezer storage capacity ahead of COVID vaccine release
New York's major hospital healthcare provider Northwell Health is gearing up ahead of the release of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, by expanding its ultra-cold storage capacity.
A medical worker was seen showing the ultra-cold storage freezers in a Northwell Health facility on Monday.
The vaccine must be stored at minimum -70 degrees Celsius (-94 F), which is below the temperature usually required for vaccines (2-8C ; 36-46F). This could represent a challenge for hospitals across the country, and may impact the distribution and availability of the experimental vaccine.
Initial data showed that the vaccine is 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19. Upon approval, Pfizer is planning on manufacturing up to 50 million doses by the end of the year.
01:07Mandatory credit: Northwell Health
New York's major hospital healthcare provider Northwell Health is gearing up ahead of the release of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, by expanding its ultra-cold storage capacity.
A medical worker was seen showing the ultra-cold storage freezers in a Northwell Health facility on Monday.
The vaccine must be stored at minimum -70 degrees Celsius (-94 F), which is below the temperature usually required for vaccines (2-8C ; 36-46F). This could represent a challenge for hospitals across the country, and may impact the distribution and availability of the experimental vaccine.
Initial data showed that the vaccine is 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19. Upon approval, Pfizer is planning on manufacturing up to 50 million doses by the end of the year.