Audio By Carbonatix
The European Union's drugs regulator has said the Pfizer Covid vaccine can now be stored at fridge temperature for much longer than it previously recommended.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said that once the vaccines thawed, unopened vials could be kept in the fridge for up to a month.
The current limit is just five days.
The increased flexibility is expected to have a significant impact on the vaccine roll-out across the EU.
The need for transport and storage at very low temperatures has been one of the major disadvantages of the Pfizer jab.
The previous storage requirements for Pfizer vaccines have made them harder to use in some parts of the world.
In February, the United States approved storage and transport of the Pfizer vaccine at standard freezer temperatures of -15 to -25C for up to two weeks, as opposed to between -80 to -60C that it usually requires.
Earlier this month Canada authorised the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 15, becoming the first country to do so for that age group.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 2025/26: Late Kwartemaa strike downs Hearts in Tema
5 minutes -
Ghana Faces Sierra Leone Moment as Prosecutorial Powers come under strain
15 minutes -
Don’t consume fish or seafood from Tema Shipyard until further notice – FDA warns
19 minutes -
Why volunteering might be Africa’s most underrated career accelerator
26 minutes -
ActionAid Ghana raises concern over gender gaps in Feed Ghana Programme
28 minutes -
Windstorm wreaks havoc in Gushegu, displacing nearly 2,000 residents and damaging schools
30 minutes -
Friends of Bridget Bonnie Marks her 35th birthday with donation to Kasseh Model Health Centre
1 hour -
From Ekumfi Kokodo to the Pulpit Stage: Essi Donkor’s gospel journey takes shape
2 hours -
Landfilling waste management creates no value, it’s an economic waste
2 hours -
Photos: Speaker Bagbin Commissions MPs constituency office under parliamentary decentralisation programme
2 hours -
Black Stars technical advisor Winfried Schäfer sacked as GFA shakes up backroom staff
2 hours -
Wenchi water project almost complete, critical to gov’t agenda – GWL MD
2 hours -
Anti-LGBTQ+ bill not part of government’s legislative agenda – Inusah Fuseini
2 hours -
Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Forget the rumour mongers, I’m a man of action, and will pass the bill – Speaker
3 hours -
Women and children among those killed in Sudanese army shelling of wedding celebration
3 hours