This is how Italy will have 5 million more doses of the Pfizer vaccine
The approximately 27 million doses of the Pfizer Biontech covid vaccine destined for Italy could become at least 32 million without particular additional costs. Aifa itself recalled this, explaining that with special syringes and needles "it is possible to have at least 1 additional dose compared to the 5 doses declared in the Summary of Product Characteristics".
On paper, according to the plans established within the EU, Italy should receive a total of 26.92 million Pfizer-Biontech vaccines against the coronavirus but thanks to some measures, Italy could count on at least 5 million more doses of the serum , a significant number in the face of delays in the other covid vaccines for which the European commission has already made agreements and especially after the news relating to the additional doses that Germany has decided to buy from the same pharmaceutical company bypass the EU commission which so far he had negotiated for everyone. The trick is to be able to recover other additional doses from each single bottle delivered by Pfizer compared to the 5 expected.
Aifa: "At least 1 additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine compared to the 5 declared"
The Italian Medicines Agency itself recalled this, explaining that from each bottle of Comirnaty, the commercial name of the Pfizer-Biontech anti-Covid vaccine, "it is possible to have at least 1 additional dose compared to the 5 doses declared in the Summary of Product Characteristics ”. In fact, according to the rules decided by the competent health authorities, the dose of vaccine that must be administered to each person is 0.3 ml but each single vial delivered by the pharmaceutical company contains 2.25 ml of product, this means that compared to the five doses provided for each bottle there is a large amount left over.
Aifa: "Avoid wasting the covid vaccine"
For this reason, Aifa has announced that "With the aim of using all the product available in each vial and avoiding any waste, in accordance with the provisions of its Technical-Scientific Commission, it is possible to have at least 1 additional dose compared to the 5 declared doses". A possible trick using a procedure approved in recent days also by the US FDA and which involves the use of precision syringes that avoid waste of the residual vaccine.
They need special syringes
This system could extract a sixth or perhaps even a seventh dose and should allow Italy to have at least 5 million more doses of the Pfizer vaccine available. To do this, however, you need special precision syringes. The pharmaceutical company itself explained that the bottle was designed for six doses but its use in Europe is only authorized for five because the syringes and special needles are needed which are not available in all countries. These are syringes with a higher cost than normal ones but which allow you to exploit all the contents of the vaccine vials available.
It is not possible to mix two different vials of vaccine
As AIFA points out, the dose of vaccine that must be administered to each person must be extracted under aseptic conditions and using syringes of suitable precision, from a vial of vaccine which contains 2.25 ml, after the foreseen dilution with a chloride solution of sodium to 0.9%. What you cannot do is mix the contents of two vials. "Any residues from different vials, even belonging to the same lot number, must not be mixed," warned the Medicines Agency.
Related news: AIFA, it is possible to obtain at least 6 doses from each vial of the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine
Note:
The advice had come from Pfizer to focus on a specific type of syringe, which ensures more precise administration. "Indication - government sources point out - also contained in the leaflet" of the vaccine protagonist of the first phase of the vaccination campaign in Italy and in Europe. Where, unlike what happened in our country, traditional syringes were purchased. The precision required for the residual vaccine recovery operation can also be achieved with syringes with different technology, while using the standard ones there is no certainty of being able to obtain an additional dose from each single bottle. “Luer locks” are more performing,” Arcuri had objected in response to criticism. Precision syringes, which avoid wasting the "residual" serum, thus allowing you to obtain an extra dose from each vial.
“It was known that in each vial, after the five officially calculated withdrawals, a little vaccine would remain, but we did not know that it would be the syringes that would make it possible to obtain an additional dose. In short, it went well,” comments a source. The "luer lock" syringes could "give" Italy 20 percent more vaccine doses: the 27 million expected from the start of the immunization campaign until September 2021 can now become 32. And Arcuri's choice, on balance, turn out to be even convenient. Spending more on syringes will allow you to save on the purchase of vaccines. On the other hand, here, and certainly also in the parts of the commissioner structure, it is well known: saving is never gain. A Luer Lock is a screw connection on a syringe that creates a leak-free seal.
