COVID-19 Vaccine:

Janssen Storage and Handling

Storage Temperature: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen

▪ Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine may be supplied frozen at -25°C to

-15°C or thawed at +2°C to +8°C.
▪ PHL scenario: the vaccine is initially stored frozen by the
manufacturer, then shipped at +2°C to +8°C.
▪ If the vaccine is received thawed, store in a refrigerator at
+2°C to +8°C. Do not refreeze thawed vaccines.
Stability and Shelf Life: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
Unopened Vaccine Vial
Condition Temperature Range Shelf Life
Frozen Vial -25°C to -15°C 24 months, until expiry date printed on the vial and carton

Thawed Vial +2°C to +8°C 4.5 months, not exceeding the original/printed expiry date

Punctured Vaccine Vial

Condition Temperature Range Shelf Life
Thawed Vial +2°C to +8°C Up to 6 hours after the first dose has been withdrawn

Thawed Vial Room Temp (≤25°C) Up to 2 hours after the first dose has been withdrawn

Special Precautions: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen

▪ The expiry date must be updated when the vaccine is removed
from the freezer and before it is stored in the refrigerator.
▪ The expiry date for -25°C to -15°C storage is printed on the
vial and outer carton.
▪ If the 4.5-month period is within the original expiry date
printed on the outer carton, cross out the original expiry date
to mark as not valid. Write down the new expiry date which
would be 4.5 months from the date you removed the vaccine
from the freezer.
▪ If the 4.5-month period is longer than the original expiry date
printed on outer carton, respect the original expiry date.
Sensitivity: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
Freeze Sensitivity
▪ Once thawed, the vaccine must not be refrozen

Light Sensitivity
▪ Store in a dark place
▪ Keep the vials in the original carton to protect from
light ▪ Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet
light
Transport: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
▪ The vaccine shall be transported at +2°C to +8°C using
insulated containers which have been qualified to maintain
+2°C to +8°C environment.
▪ As much as possible, protect the vaccine from drops, shocks
and vibration.
▪ Always keep vaccine vials upright during storage/transport.
Thawing: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
Temperature Range Quantity Thawing Duration
+2°C to +8°C 1 carton (10 vials) 12 hours
1 vial 2 hours
Room Temp (≤25°C) 1 carton (10 vials) 2 hours
1 vial 1 hour
▪ Once thawed, the vaccine is ready to use. No dilution required.
Multi-Dose Vial Policy: COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
After the first dose has been withdrawn, keep the
opened/punctured vial between +2°C to +8°C during the in use
period, and discard any unused vaccine in the vial after 6 hours,
or at the end of the immunization session, whichever comes first.
▪ Alternatively, you can keep the punctured vial at room
temperature for up to 2 hours, then discard any unused
vaccine.