Quote Originally Posted by Vindec View Post
I think the poor performance of Wales so far has something to do with the fact that up to now only the Pfizer jab has been available and there simply are insufficient refrigeration facilities in Wales to hold this vaccine in the required quantities. However, with the Oxford vaccine coming on stream, the shortage of refrigeration should not be an issue.

One possible drawback in Wales is that they do not appear to be using the army to work with the NHS to plan the logistics. I could be wrong there but the Brigadier in charge of logistics at a recent Press Conference deliberately made the point that he was working only with authorities in England.
The Pfizer jab is a bit quirky regarding distribution but should not be a problem. In Wales -70c storage means the vaccine is held in two sites, I know not where. From there the vaccine can be moved around for up to 5 days at fridge temperature. It comes as a frozen powder a vial containing five doses. Once the powder has thawed it needs to diluted. So far nothing too difficult. Once diluted the 5 dose vial must be used within 6 hours. With dilution it must not be vigourously agitated, but must gently rotated to get the powder dissolved. Once in liquid form it cannot be transported by a motor vehicle ( because the transport might cause agitation)....so in effect it should be diluted at the place it is going to be used, like say a nursing/ care home.
In practice a team should be able to move into a nursing home/ village hall etc. and get going. With a bit of forward planning it should not be a problem.