Proper Storage and Handling of Pfizer COVID-19 Doses

Arizona Department of Health Services sent this bulletin at 05/13/2021 12:00 PM MST
2019 AIPO

                    COVID-19 Vaccine Communication from the                       Arizona Immunization Program Office

Today's Topic: Proper Storage and Handling of Pfizer COVID-19 Doses

Due to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine being approved for emergency use for individuals 12 years of age and older on May 12, 2021, the Arizona Immunization Program Office (AIPO) would like to remind you of the storage and handling best practices.  

Important Notes:

  • The AIPO has put together a flyer on best practices for storage and handling of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine which can be found here. 
    • Undiluted Pfizer COVID-19 vials can be stored in an ultra-low temperature freezer for up to 6 months.
      • When removed from the ultra-cold temperature, the vaccine must be thawed for either 3 hours (in the refrigerator between 2.0°C - 8.0°C) or at room temperature for 30 minutes before dilution to ensure the vaccine is fully thawed.
    • Undiluted Pfizer COVID-19 vials can be stored in a normal freezer for up to 2 weeks.
    • Undiluted Pfizer COVID-19 vials can be stored in a fridge for up to 5 days.
    • Undiluted Pfizer COVID-19 vials can be stored in the shipper for up to 15 days (including shipping days).
      • Once the thermal shipper has been received, the container must be replenished with pelletized dry ice within 24 hours.
      • A 2nd and 3rd replenishment of pelletized dry ice will need to be done every 5 days thereafter.
      • The shipper can only be opened 2 times a day for three minutes each time.
    • CDC has a beyond-use date/time tracking label resource for refrigerator and freezer storage to track when doses would need to be wasted. That resource can be found here.  
    • Once the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is diluted, it must be administered within 6 hours. If the diluted dose is not administered within 6 hours, it must be wasted.
  • If any doses need to be wasted, a wasted/expired form must be filled out and submitted. Instructions on how to complete wastage of any doses can be found here. 
    • To report wasted diluted Pfizer COVID-19 doses, please use code: W5 - Open vial/all doses not administered.
    • To report Pfizer COVID-19 doses that exceed the 5 days in refrigerator storage, please use code: R8 - Spoiled - other.