Freezer firm to launch probe after Japan vaccines spoil

A local health staff shows a special freezer for Covid-19 vaccinations at Tokyo's Sumida ward office on Jan. 22, 2021. - AP

TOKYO (AFP): Japan said Tuesday (March 2)on would be launched after more than 1,000 coronavirus vaccine doses had to be thrown out when a freezer storing them malfunctioned.

A medical institution reported that 172 vials of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which must be kept between -80 and -60 degrees centigrade, were rendered useless after the freezer breakdown over the weekend, Japan's health ministry said, wasting up to 1,032 doses.