Covid-19 vaccines to be stored at SU

Stellenbosch University (SU) will be storing ultra-cold Covid-19 vaccines for the Western Cape Department of Health (WCDH) as part of a one-year contract with the WCDH. 

This was according to Maret Lesch, spokesperson of the WCDH. Phase two of the national vaccination rollout will start on 17 May, with both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines being used in parallel, said Lesch. SU will be storing Pfizer vaccines at Tygerberg Hospital, she added. 

Covid-19 vaccines

Covid-19 vaccines will be stored at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Tygerberg campus by the Western Cape Department of Health, according to Dr Therese Fish, vice dean of clinical services and social impact at the SU faculty of medicine and health sciences. PHOTO: Supplied/Hakan Nural

“The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -70°C to -40°C at the Provincial Vaccine Distribution Site, transported at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C to the vaccination site, where it can be stored at 2°C to 8°C,” stated Lesch in email correspondence with MatieMedia. The vaccines will be stored in specialised ultra-cold freezers at Tygerberg Hospital, said Lesch.

The formal contract between SU and the WCDH was signed on 31 March. It is valid for the period of one year, according to Dr Therese Fish, vice dean of clinical services and social impact at the SU faculty of medicine and health sciences

Covid-19 vaccines

Phase two of the national vaccination rollout will start on 17 May, using both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Pfizer vaccines will be stored at Tygerberg Hospital. PHOTO: Supplied/Mat Napo

Vaccines will be delivered to Tygerberg campus each month, and distributed to vaccination sites thereafter, said Lesch. “The National Department of Health has yet to confirm the estimated time of arrival [of the first batch of vaccines],” Lesch stated.

The SU faculty of medicine and health sciences is positive about the contract, and being able to assist with the vaccination effort by making their storage facilities available, according to Fish. 

“We are delighted that we can assist the country during this critical phase of the pandemic, and make use of our research infrastructure to support the vaccine rollout,” Fish stated.

“This is actually something really great for SU,” said Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU. 

Covid-19 vaccines

“We are preparing to scale up our vaccination programme during April to complete phase one (all healthcare workers). This will be supported by the expected arrival of 325 560 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in South Africa before 17 May 2021,” stated Alan Winde, Western Cape premier, to News24. PHOTO: Supplied/Mat Napo

The WCHD organised for 93 vaccine-friendly fridges to be delivered to storage facilities around the province from January 2021, according to Dr Keith Cloete, head of WCHD. “The -70°C storage capacity for the Pfizer vaccine has been confirmed with SU,” said Cloete in email correspondence with MatieMedia

“Our generators have all been assessed, and portable generators are on standby in the facilities,” added Cloete.

Covid-19 vaccines

INFOGRAPHIC: Kirsty Bucholz

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