Photo/Illutration Two types of the Vixell vacuum insulation cool box developed by Panasonic Corp. for storing and transporting novel coronavirus vaccines (Provided by Panasonic Corp.)

Leading electronics maker Panasonic Corp. said Jan. 21 it has developed a box that can maintain ultracold temperatures for storing and transporting COVID-19 vaccines, one of the trickiest procedures in inoculation programs.

The Japanese government plans to start inoculating the population in late February using a vaccine co-manufactured by U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. and German biocommerce company BioNTech.

Panasonic says its box can keep the Pfizer vaccine at the required temperature of about minus 70 degrees, as well as at minus 20 degrees for the vaccine developed by U.S. biotech firm Moderna Inc.

Japan has signed deals for doses of the two vaccines.

Panasonic plans to start providing samples to drug companies and related businesses as early as March before leasing out the product.

The box will be offered in two sizes: 120 liters and 57 liters. Even in outside temperatures of 30 degrees, the 120-liter box can store vaccines at minus 70 degrees or lower for up to 18 days by placing 34 kilograms of dry ice in it, according to the company.

Panasonic said it used its energy-saving technology accumulated through the manufacturing of refrigerators and other appliances to develop the vaccine box.

It is seamless to prevent cool air from leaking, and its insulation is made of urethane foam and glass wool to enhance the product’s cooling capacity, the company said.

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