As Vaccine Approvals Loom, U.S. Funds A Backup Plan For Delivery
As the U.S. prepares for what will likely be the largest vaccination program in its history, the Trump administration plans to loan $590 million to a Connecticut company with a novel technology.
www.npr.org
The article that most won't read or listen to is about a delivery device for the vaccine. It's completely untested. Here is a picture of it:
The Trump administration is giving the manufacturer a $500M loan to build these self-contained devices (We call them pre-loads in the biz). It comes loaded with vaccines already.
This is not really any thing new--we've had penicillin in preload form for years. What is a change is that given the Pfizer variety having to be kept at -70C. Its unclear on how the plastic in the above syringe will hold up to sub-arctic temperatures...much less what happens when they are thawed.
Why Does Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Need To Be Kept Colder Than Antarctica?
One of the two leading vaccine candidates requires deep, deep freezing. Here's how communities are working to solve for this and how the new Moderna vaccine could help.
www.npr.org
On one hand, the self-contained prevents shortages of vials and syringes and needles--it's all one unit. On the other hand, it could delay the roll-out if the never-before-tried technology fails.
It would be much better to simply ensure we have enough of the conventional delivery systems instead of making this 1/2 billion dollar gamble.
Bad form Mr. President.