“Orders have been placed for the purchase of the super sub-zero cold storage facility that would be required for the storage of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines,” Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) stated in a COVID-19 update on September 30, 2021.

No information was given on the cost, where the facility was sourced and when exactly the cold storage will arrive in the territory.

Pfizer vaccines needs to be kept extremely cold: minus 70 degrees Celsius, which is colder than winter in Antarctica.

Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine multiple-dose vials are stored frozen between -50º to -15ºC, more like a regular freezer. It can also be stored refrigerated between 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) for up to 30 days prior to first use.

Pfizer vaccines needs to be kept extremely cold: minus 70 degrees Celsius, which is colder than winter in Antarctica.

Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine multiple-dose vials are stored frozen between -50º to -15ºC, more like a regular freezer. It can also be stored refrigerated between 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F) for up to 30 days prior to first use.

British Gov’t will supply both vaccines

Meanwhile, Hon Malone said the British Government will honour their pledge to supply all amounts of both vaccines required for eligible persons, including school-aged children from 12 to 17.

In the interim, the VI Government has been working closely with the US Virgin Islands (USVI) to facilitate persons wishing to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to travel to that territory to get the jab.