With the race for a COVID-19 vaccine quickly progressing, it is imperative that healthcare facilities prepare now to safely store these critical vaccines as soon as they are approved. Dozens of vaccines are under development, all of which have unique temperature storage requirements at various stages of manufacturing, distribution and administration.
The different types of vaccines are under development include mRNA, DNA, Viral Vector, and live attenuated versions. Temperature ranges for these vaccines include standard refrigerated temperatures (+5°C), standard freezer temperatures (-20°C), as well as ultra-low freezer temperatures (-86°C). There are also requirements for room temperature storage prior to vaccine administration.
Since availability of the initial vaccine will be limited, it is critical that no dose of the vaccine is wasted. This means that each vaccine must be properly stored, and that pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators and freezers are used exclusively for storage. Improper refrigeration is a known issue and can render a vaccine ineffective. Household, dorm-style, and commercial food service refrigerators and freezers are not designed to meet the critical temperature requirements of vaccines.
There is a strong possibility that the launch of a COVID-19 vaccine will coincide with this fall’s flu season, placing a further strain on the valuable resources at healthcare facilities. Point of care facilities including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and pharmacies all need to prepare early and ensure that the proper cold storage equipment is in place prior to approval of a vaccine and the hundreds of millions of doses required.
CME has partnered with American BioTech Supply (ABS) to offer a broad portfolio of CDC compliant pharmaceutical-grade refrigerators and freezers, purpose built for vaccine, medication and patient-sample storage. These options include:
- 5°C Refrigerators
- -20°C to -40°C Low Temperature Freezers
- -86°C Ultra Low Temperature Freezers
- +22°C Controlled Room Temperature Cabinets
Your dedicated CME representative is trained to understand your needs and to help you find the best solution. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you prepare for the cold storage challenges.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers.
With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.
