Establishment of certified reference material for the potency assay in yellow fever vaccine quality control, in accordance with International Standards Organization guidance

The attenuated yellow fever vaccine (YFV) is offered free of charge to the Brazilian population through the National Immunization Program (NIP). One of the specifications for quality control analyses of the vaccine is the potency determination. This test determines the number of plaque forming units (PFU) in Vero cells. In order to validate the results, the reference material (RM) is analysed in parallel with an established reference vaccine. The aim of this study was to establish certified RM for use as an internal control in the potency assay for the production chain of YFV. The candidate RM homogeneity and stability were determined, and characterized by a collaborative study for further certification. The RM was considered sufficiently homogeneous with average 4.68 log₁₀ IU/HD and stable at (-20 ± 10) ºC and (22.5 ± 2.5) ºC for 715 and 183 days, respectively. When reconstituted and stored in aliquots of 0.6 mL, it was stable at (-20 ± 10) ºC for eight days. But it was not stable at (5 ± 3) ºC for three days. In a collaborative study, two independents' laboratories gave an averaged value of 4.56 ± 0.030 log₁₀ IU/HD. After determining the expanded uncertainty of homogeneity, stability, and characterization, the certified RM lot: 195VFA020Z presented a property value of 4.56 ± 0.22 log₁₀ IU/HD. It was concluded that the new certified RM can be used in routine analysis of a YFV producer, since it has its property value established and it is stable. The possibility of using it in aliquots after reconstitution will also allow the RM to have a much longer shelf life.

Efficacy of hydrogen peroxide wipes for decontamination of AZD1222 adenovirus COVID-19 vaccine strain on pharmaceutical industry materials

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of accelerated hydrogen peroxide® wipes (HPW) for decontamination of the chimpanzee adenovirus AZD1222 vaccine strain used in the production of recombinant COVID‐19 vaccine in a pharmaceutical industry. Two matrices were tested on stainless‐steel (SS) and low‐density‐polyethylene (LDP) surfaces: formulated recombinant COVID‐19 vaccine (FCV) and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The samples were spiked, dried and the initial inoculum, possible residue effect (RE) and titre reduction after disinfection with HPW were determined. No RE was observed. The disinfection procedure with HPW resulted in complete decontamination the of AZD1222 adenovirus strain in FCV (≥7·46 and ≥7·49 log₁₀ infectious unit [IFU] ml⁻¹ for SS and LDP carriers respectively) and API (≥8·79 and ≥8·78 log₁₀ IFU ml⁻¹ for SS and LDP carriers respectively). In conclusion, virucidal activity of HPW was satisfactory against the AZD1222 adenovirus strain and can be a good option for disinfection processes of SS and LPD surfaces in pharmaceutical industry facilities during recombinant COVID‐19 vaccine production. This procedure is simple and can be also applied on safety unit cabins and sampling bags made of LDP as well.

Evaluation of hydrogen peroxide efficacy against AZD1222 chimpanzee adenovirus strain in the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine for application in cleaning validation in a pharmaceutical manufacturing industry

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) to inactivate the chimpanzee adenovirus AZD1222 vaccine strain used in the production of recombinant COVID-19 vaccine for application in cleaning validation in pharmaceutical industries production areas. Two matrixes were tested: formulated recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (FCV) and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The samples were dried on stainless steel and exposed to HPV in an isolator. One biological indicator with population >10⁶ Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores was used to validate the HPV decontamination cycle as standard. HPV exposure resulted in complete virus inactivation in FVC (≥5·03 log₁₀ ) and API (≥6·40 log₁₀ ), showing HPV efficacy for reducing chimpanzee adenovirus AZD1222 vaccine strain. However, the optimum concentration and contact time will vary depending on the type of application. Future decontamination studies scaling up the process to the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing areas are necessary to evaluate if the HPV will have the same or better virucidal effectivity in each specific production area. In conclusion, HPV showed efficacy for reducing AZD1222 chimpanzee adenovirus strain and can be a good choice for pharmaceutical industries facilities disinfection during recombinant COVID-19 vaccine production.