Posted Nov 2, 2022 4:41pm
Coronavirus: Air bubbles in anti-Covid vaccines discovered in Switzerland
Every syringe of Pfizer’s product against Omicron and its variants must be tested. If you see air, don’t try until you know more.
The Covid-19 Comirnaty Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 was developed by Pfizer/BioNTech against Omicron.
Comirnatyeducation.co.uk
Some vaccination centers have reported to Swissmedic that they have observed small vesicles during the production of the Covid-19 Comirnaty Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 vaccine. This is the new bivalent vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and more specifically intended for Omicron and its variants. It is he who is managed today, mainly in Switzerland, with that of Moderna. Swissmedic is currently analyzing the risks that the changes observed could entail and, according to the press release, has warned the cantons and vaccination centers as a precautionary measure.
In fact, the vials of the batch in question showed small bubbles after being removed from the refrigerator. Swissmedic is currently evaluating possible causes for these changes with the authorization holder and is also analyzing samples in its laboratory for this purpose.
According to current knowledge, this phenomenon seems to be amplified when the syringes are prepared several hours in advance, but certain vials already contain small bubbles when they are taken out of the refrigerator. As a precaution, Swissmedic has informed the cantons and the vaccination centers and will communicate the situation and the measures to be taken again on its website as soon as further results are available.
Important information for vaccination centers
Until the causes of this phenomenon have been clarified, all syringes should be subjected to a precautionary visual inspection before the injection. No preparations containing small bubbles or particles should be administered. It is also recommended not to withdraw the vaccine from the vial more than 15 minutes before filling the syringe. It’s not so much the blisters that could be problematic as the causes of their occurrence.
(Come/PM)