As shipments for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrive in the US medical facilities like Ochsner are prepping to store the vaccine which requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80 degrees. Debbie Simonson System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner said they’ve purchased three thermo-freezers.
“And strategically placed them around the state. We have one that’s going to be at Shreveport, one is going to be at Lafayette, and one at our New Orleans hospital,” said Simonson.
Simonson said Pfizer has developed cold shippers to keep the vaccine viable during delivery and Ochsner will initially receive vaccines in New Orleans and then distribute….
“A supply to each site that they will put in their refrigerators. They then can schedule the people to come in,” said Simonson.
Simonson said they will schedule inoculations once they arrive. She said the vaccine can be refrigerated for up to five days and each vial contains five doses.
“We’ll send only enough for who is scheduled to be vaccinated and we’ll ask them not to take the vial out until they know they have the five people there,” said Simonson.
Simonson says they’ve worked on logistics as to how to keep the vaccine as viable as possible so they will all be utilized properly. Once the vaccine receives FDA approval Ochsner plans to begin inoculations immediately.
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