Thailand-Developed System Can Draw Out More COVID-19 Vaccine Doses: All You Need To Know

Researchers in Thailand have developed a machine to draw out COVID-19 vaccine doses more efficiently and optimize lower-than-expected supplies.

• According to researchers at Chulalongkorn University, using a robotic arm, the AutoVacc system can draw 12 doses of the AstraZeneca plc AZN vaccine in four minutes from a vial.
• That is up 20% from the standard 10 doses drawn manually. 
• Currently, the machine only works on AstraZeneca multi-dose vials, and labels show that each vial can provide 10 to 11 doses.
• While some health workers using low dead space syringes can draw up to 12 doses per vial, it requires manpower and a high skill level, said Juthamas Ratanavaraporn, the lead researcher.
• The research team says they would produce 20 more AutoVacc units within three or four months, but government funds and support would be needed to expand.
• The prototype machine costs 2.5 million Thai baht ($76,243), including other materials like syringes, said Juthamas, adding that while they were open to export opportunities.
• She added that they also plan to make similar machines to use with Pfizer Inc PFE - BioNTech SE BNTX and Moderna Inc MRNA vaccines.
• Photo by Paul McManus from Pixabay