JAPAN LACKS ULTRA-LOW TEMP FACILITIES FOR VACCINE

As clinical trials of novel coronavirus vaccines enter their final phases overseas, new problems have come to light in Japan over creating a system for their preservation and inoculation, according to a report from Mainichi Shimbun

Managing the vaccines in extremely low temperatures of minus 70 degrees Celsius is likely to present the biggest hurdle. A new type of vaccine that is taking the lead in development overseas has yet to be approved across the globe, and must be handled differently from traditional vaccines. Some expect mass immunizations will be needed, and local governments in Japan in charge of the situation are raising concerns.

Demand for ultra-low temperature freezers for medical use is suddenly increasing around the world in anticipation of the practical use of these vaccines. "We have seen orders temporarily increase when there is an infectious disease going around, but never like this," said Nobuaki Nakamura, corporate officer of PHC Holdings Corp. -- a health and medical equipment manufacturer that boasts the second largest market share in the word and largest in Japan.

Demand from Europe began to rise from around March, and then came many inquiries from North America. PHC expects a 50% increase in sales for both Europe and North America this fiscal year compared to fiscal 2019. The company has been handling the surge in demand by operating its factory in Gunma Prefecture with a two-shift working system since August. PHC plans to increase production for domestic use going forward.

The spike in demand for ultra-low temperature freezers is caused by progress made in the development of a new type of vaccine in the United States. Flu vaccines and other vaccines distributed in Japan can be kept in refrigerators at 10 degrees C or lower, but the one being developed by major American pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. incorporates new technology: It is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine that uses part of a virus's genetic information. It must be kept and distributed at minus 70 degrees C to maintain quality. Japan has basically agreed with Pfizer to receive about 120 million doses of the vaccine from the company and when the development succeeds, Japan must be prepared with an unprecedented number of super-low temperature freezers.

Vaccines produced overseas will be delivered to Japan on planes and distributed to local areas, where they will be stored until use. The supply will be enormous and keeping the vaccines at a temperature of minus 70 degrees C will be a difficult task.

A government source pointed out, "Not all medical institutions (in Japan) can have their own ultra-low temperature freezers, and methods used during the flu season won't work."