UPDATE on Storage and Handling Guidance for Moderna Vaccine as of March 1, 2021

Hello Immunization Partners

MDHHS wanted to update everyone on some recent storage and handling guidance that we received from CDC regarding Moderna vaccine. What we have done below is provide a quick recap for basic Moderna storage.

Storing at Frozen temperatures: -25°C to -15°C (-13°F to 5°F)

• May be stored up to 6 months.
• This frozen temperature range is more narrow than other routine frozen vaccines (such as varicella vaccine); therefore, if storing in freezer with other routinely recommended vaccines, carefully adjust freezer temperature range to THIS vaccine.
• Do NOT store on dry ice.

 Storing at Refrigerated temperatures: 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)

• An unopened vial may be stored up to 30 days in refrigerated temperatures. After 30 days, remove any remaining vials from the refrigerator and discard.
• Labels are available to track this 30-day limit: Moderna Beyond Use Date (BUD) Tracking for Refrigerated Storage
• An unopened vial may be kept at room temperatures for up to 12 hours (up to 25°C [77°F]).**
• A punctured vial may be stored at refrigerator or at room temperatures for up to 6 hours (2°C to 25°C [36°F to 77°F]). If not used within the 6 hours, discard. 

 Thawing Moderna Vaccine:

• Do NOT refreeze thawed vaccine.

• Vaccine may be thawed at refrigerator or at room temperatures.
• Refrigerator Thaw: 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)

• May take 2 to 3 hours (approximately 2.5 hours).
• Fewer number of vials will take less time to thaw.

• Room Temperature Thaw: 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)

• May take 30 minutes to 2 hours (approximately 1 hour).

• Unopened vials may be kept at room temperature for up to 12 hours.**
• Once punctured, use, or discard within 6 hours.

 **RECENT Updated Guidance: An unpunctured vial stored between 8°C to 25°C (46°F to 77°F) may be returned to the refrigerator per guidance from the manufacturer. However, the time spent at 8°C to 25°C (46°F to 77°F) is cumulative. The 12-hour countdown starts as soon as the vial is removed from the refrigerator and DOES NOT stop if the vial is returned to the refrigerator. Vial time at 8°C to 25°C (46°F to 77°F) must be carefully tracked by the user.

 Key point regarding the 12-hour timeframe:

• When thinking about mass vaccination clinics it is important to remember to only bring the vaccine you intend to use to the clinic. Keep the vaccine in the storage unit until you are ready to begin the clinic. You will pull the vials you need for the first part of the clinic and bring it to room temperature in order to prepare the vaccine for administration. Truly the 12-hour time would normally not come into play because the vaccine should not be removed until it is going to be prepared for use and then once it is punctured the 6-hour timeframe needs to be followed. By doing this we will greatly reduce our potential for vaccine wastage.

 Transporting mRNA Vaccines:

• Follow general guidance and best practices when transporting vaccines outlined in CDC’s Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit. There is a COVID-19 Vaccine Addendum on pages 56-63 in the toolkit. In addition, protect vaccines as much as possible from drops, shocks, and vibration.   

• To minimize movement, transport vaccine vials in their carton, if possible.  
• If individual vials must be transported: Place vials with padding material like bubble wrap or similar materials to prevent breaking.  
• Secure vaccine and storage container during transport.  
• Keep vaccine vials upright whenever possible.  
• If necessary punctured vials can be transported.
• In certain circumstances the only option may be to transport vaccine in a pre-drawn syringe. Guidance for transporting pre-drawn syringes can be found in the USP COVID- 19 Vaccine Toolkit: Operational Considerations for Healthcare Practitioners.

 For questions regarding Moderna COVID-19 vaccine temperature excursions visit https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/providers/storage-handling. You can find a Temperature Excursion Tool at this website. Also, you may email Moderna at excursions@modernatx.com or call at 1-866-MODERNA for questions about temperature excursions.

 The new Transport Temperature Log can be found in the Storage and Handling Resources section of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine webpage. 

 Check out the newly updated Moderna COVID-19 Beyond-Use Date/Time (BUD) Tracking Label for Vaccine During Refrigerator Storage labels.  

 Additional CDC guidance on the use of Moderna vaccine can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/moderna/index.html.

 Lastly the Immunization Action Coalition has a great handout What Clinic Personnel Need to Know.

Thank you for all your hard work to protect Michiganders from vaccine-preventable diseases!

 

-The Immunization Nurse Education Team, Andrea, Heidi, Maria, and Terri

• Updated Moderna Storage and Handling Gudiance 2-28-21 Final.docx