Pfizer and its partner BioNTech will start offering smaller shipments of its COVID-19 vaccine to ease access for rural communities, a Pfizer spokesperson confirmed to Becker's Hospital Review.
Currently, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is only sent in shipments containing 1,170 doses. Providers in rural areas often don't have the resources to store such a large quantity of vaccines, and they don't have enough patients to offer the vaccine to before they expire.
Starting at the end of May, Pfizer will offer smaller shipments containing 450 doses. It expects to send 4.5 million doses per week in the smaller shipment size, a Pfizer spokesperson told Becker's. It will also continue to provide the original shipment size.
"Offering both pack size options will provide U.S. vaccination sites and doctors' offices with the flexibility to order tailored quantities that most effectively meet their needs," the spokesperson said.