Japan to discard millions of Pfizer vaccine doses due to lack of low dead-space syringesHealth workers will have to use standard syringes which are unable to draw out the sixth dose in every vial manufactured by the U.S. drug companyArticle contentJapan will to have to throw away millions of ordered Pfizer vaccine doses due to a shortage of specialized syringes, according to the country’s health minister, Norihisa Tamura. Pfizer’s vaccine is sold in vials containing six doses, which require a special low dead-space syringe, designed with a narrow plunger that can push out the last dose. Try refreshing your browser, or Japan to discard millions of Pfizer vaccine doses due to lack of low dead-space syringes Back to videoThe government had ordered 144 million doses of the vaccine, meant for 72 million people, keeping in mind that each vial holds six doses. However, the shortage of special syringes means that healthcare workers will have to use standard syringes, which draw only five doses — enough for 60 million people. “The syringes used in Japan can only draw five doses,” Tamura was quoted by Kyodo news agency.

Source: National Post February 11, 2021 18:11 UTC