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A guide to selecting, installing and maintain ULT freezers

Vaccine development has undergone a seismic shift during the last year. The global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the development of next-generation mRNA-based vaccines, which are being rolled out on a vast scale worldwide.

With an aim to give doses to nearly every adult around the world, we are witnessing the largest vaccination program in history and immunization strategies are being redefined. As the pharmaceutical industry enters a new era, it needs cold storage solutions to match.

Traditional storage methods are not suitable for these new mRNA-based vaccines and cold chain management needs have evolved.

Until now, refrigeration has been broadly used for vaccine storage, keeping vaccines safe between 2° to 8° C. However, the biological need for these new mRNA-based vaccines is driving the demand for temperature profiles down to -70°C, which standard refrigerators and freezers cannot meet. Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers have become critical as countries continue to roll out mRNA-based vaccinations.

Although ULT freezers are a new concept for the storage of these next-generation vaccines, the devices have long been used in drug development, cancer research and cell therapy applications, where temperatures between -50°C and -80°C are commonly required.

Various considerations need to go into storing this new breed of vaccines effectively, influencing decision-making of ULT freezers.

How to select, install and maintain ULT freezers
Factors to consider when selecting, installing, and maintaining a ULT freezer to ensure the 黄金城游戏 is fit for purpose and will safeguard the vaccines:

Selection
. It is important to be guided by the number of doses that need to be stored. Ideally, the freezer should accommodate a full inventory at all times.
. Consider the dosage configuration and pack-out dimensions to ensure the most is made of the available space.
. Check the electrical requirements so the freezer can operate safely and continuously.
. Lastly, are the freezer(s) required to be in line with your company’s Green and Corporate Social Responsibility initiative? Are these freezer(s) green-certified which can help you manage energy consumption better?

How can selecting the right freezer(s) also help manage operational expenses better?
How quick can after-sale service teams respond to maintenance and help troubleshoot issues that might arise?

Installation
. Create an installation plan to ensure the ULT will be fitted and connected smoothly and efficiently. Equipment provider with the ability to provide laboratory design or 3D CAD drawing might help you visualize your lab setup better.
. Schedule delivery when support is available from the facility’s management team.
. Confirm an independent monitoring system is ready for use.
. Ensure there is appropriate and abundant personal protective 黄金城游戏 available.
. The final location of the ULT freezer must be carefully considered to ensure optimal operation. Good ventilation and a relatively stable ambient temperature are vital.

Maintenance
. Apply the best working practices for standard refrigerators and freezers to ULT units.
. Pay attention to the ULT’s status for performance feedback and be familiar with steps to take in response to alerts.
. Follow the user’s manual for care and maintenance, keep filters clean and remove excess frost and ice from shelves and gaskets.
. Consider warranty upgrades or service plans to ensure maximum uptime with committed on-site response.

Thermo Scientific TSX ULT Freezers store new mRNA-based vaccines safely
Next-generation vaccines must be stored at certain temperatures which should be monitored at regular intervals, with recommendations outlined by the World Health Organization and local regulatory body. The Thermo Scientific TSX ULT Freezers are ideal for storing mRNA-based vaccines, meeting these guidelines for proper vaccine storage.

The systems offer advanced connectivity features which enable remote accessibility and monitoring. As such, they deliver real-time data and drive decisions with auto notification to technical support experts for proactive resolution. The purpose-built ULT freezers enable faster troubleshooting, diagnosis, and up to 50% remote resolution and 50% faster response time. Furthermore, these state-of-the art freezers are energy efficient. They are powered by V-drive adaptive control technology to provide energy savings of up to 70%, without compromising sample protection.

The upright models provide a comprehensive range of storage capabilities, from the 19.4 cu.ft option that is able to store up to 40,000 doses through to a 33.5 cu ft model storing up to 70,000 doses, which is crucial for the current COVID-19 mass vaccination needs. Combined with the wider portfolio of Thermo Fisher Scientific benchtop and chest ULT freezers, there is an option suitable for all purposes, from production and distribution hubs through to endpoint users.

Freezers should also have the ability to sound alerts if temperature boundaries needed to preserve sample and vaccines integrity is crossed. Thermo Scientific wireless monitoring solutions are designed to safeguard vaccines’ integrity by continuously tracking critical parameters of refrigerators and freezers and securely data logging, as required by regulators.

Cold chain storage and transport requirements were brought to light during the height of pandemic in view of millions of critically needed vaccines being wasted. Vaccines must be continuously stored within a temperature range from the time they are manufactured to the moment they are administered. The use of appropriate temperature monitoring devices and backup storage units can certainly help preserve the integrity and potency of vaccines.

Author: Dr. Alex Esmon, Senior Director/SBS General Manager Cold Storage, Laboratory Products Division, Thermo Fisher Scientific