Eight months into the pandemic, biotechnology companies are racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine to prevent Covid-19.
Many experimental vaccines need to be stored at minus 80 degrees Celsius, similar to the process of transporting ice cream or frozen meat to the supermarket.
This situation has prompted public health officials to build cold storage facilities to ensure there is enough vaccine for citizens.
Some drug manufacturers even make their own freezer boxes specifically for their products, preserving vaccines for at least 10 consecutive days.
A super cold freezer at an American hospital.
Vaccines are similar to meat and dairy products in that their chemical structure is maintained within a certain temperature range.
According to Mr. Chaun Powell, disaster response executive for Premier, which distributes medical supplies to many US hospitals, storing large amounts of vaccines could put pressure on the supply chain.
`When it comes to distributing (vaccines) to 300 million Americans, any efficient logistics plan comes in handy. The question is how to get them to a location just an hour away from residential areas
Health officials consider vaccines the key to stopping the spread of Covid-19.
Both vaccines are prepared based on mRNA genetic technology.
Experts prepare vaccines at a laboratory in Tarrytown, New York state.
To preserve its products, Pfizer has created a cold box the size of a suitcase, which can hold from 1,000 to 5,000 doses of vaccine for 10 days before needing to add dry ice.
Moderna also began further research, coming up with a plan to release a vaccine that can be refrigerated at minus 20 degrees Celsius, instead of minus 70 degrees Celsius as originally.
Health authorities expect hospitals to be the first vaccination sites for millions of medical workers.
Shortages in different regions may vary.