A freezer failure in Washington prompted clinics at the University of Seattle and the University of Washington to vaccinate thousands of people overnight.
Swedish non-profit healthcare system tweeted on Thursday night it had 588 Modern vaccine against coronavirus markings available from 11 pm to 2 am. A freezer that stored 1,650 doses of Moderna vaccine at Kaiser Permanente had broken, meaning that those doses could expire, reported KING 5 in Seattle.
All appointments were scheduled right after the tweet was posted, in Swedish said on Twitter.
All 1,650 doses were administered that night, Swedish Medical Center chief operating officer Kevin Brooks told NBC News.
Brooks was part of the team that made sure vaccines didn’t go to waste.
The Swedish tweet called Phase 1A and Phase 1B / Level 1 volunteers.
“We were able to support another health organization and ensure that no doses were missed,” said Brooks. “It was moving to see grannies in wheelchairs at 2 am being vaccinated.”
This sudden announcement of extra vaccines left some Seattle citizens wondering when it might be their turn to get the vaccine, but Brooks is confident that his clinics will help as soon as they get enough doses.
“I am reflecting on the journey we have been taking since treating Covid-19 patients in our ICUs and how we are now all inspired to be able to administer the vaccine now,” said Brooks. “Ending this pandemic is within reach!”