STORAGE OF VACCINE

Subject: Science & tech

Context: A week after Pfizer announced encouraging results of its mRNA vaccine based on an interim analysis of a large Phase-3 trial that is underway, data from the Phase-3 trial of the vaccine of the U.S.-based Moderna revealed very encouraging results.

Concept:

• More than the marginally better efficacy of the Moderna vaccine compared with the Pfizer vaccine, the striking difference lies in better thermostability at relatively higher temperatures.
• The stability of the Moderna vaccine at -20°C for up to six months, 2°C-8°C for 30 days, and at room temperature for up to 12 hours will be critical for the broad roll-out of the vaccine in most countries.
• In contrast, Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine requires storage at -70°C to -80°C, which makes vaccine shipping and storage logistics a nightmare even in developed countries.
• Ready availability of vaccine(stable at high temperature) from Moderna increases the probability of wider access in most countries when millions of doses are manufactured.
• Most districts in India that are under the universal immunisation programme already have facilities to store huge volumes of the oral polio vaccine at -20°C.
• Hence, Moderna’s mRNA vaccine can be made available in most parts of the country as it remains stable for 30 days at 2°C-8°C. However, no vaccine manufacturer in India has tied up with Moderna to make the vaccine in India.

Indian Alternative:

• Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited, a subsidiary of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited, is also developing a mRNA vaccine. It has completed animal trials and may soon begin human clinical trials.
• The vaccine has been found to be stable for more than 45 days at 2°C-8°C.
• Apparently, Gennova was very clear from the beginning that a mRNA vaccine that requires extremely cold storage facilities will not be feasible for India and hence worked on a novel technology platform that will allow the vaccines to remain stable at higher temperatures.