Russia plans to switch the production of its firstCovid-19vaccine,Sputnik V,to a freeze-dried form, as the country looks to find a solution for the logistical challenges of transporting it throughout the country and abroad.
The problem of storage is not unique to Sputnik V. Two Western vaccine producers also face the challenge of keeping theirs sufficiently cold. In particular, the formula proposed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer needs to be stored at-70degreesCelsius (-94degreesFahrenheit).
Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) boss Kirill Dmitriev told Reuters the freeze-dried vaccine would soon be the main focus of production.
We expect that, starting roughly from February, we will switch mainly to the lyophilized form. He said.