The application of Covid-19 vaccines in locations across the country is only the first step in vaccinating the population. Taking them out of the freezer and putting them in their arms is another journey, complicated by the special handling that doses require, but also because of the complicated data management systems. Web sites must take precautions to ensure that they do not contribute to the spread of the virus, measures that can delay the administration of vaccines. And in many places, the demand for doses has exceeded supply.
The Tennessee Riverpark vaccination site in Chattanooga, Tennessee, administers the vaccine to about 3,500 people a week, which is typical for a location of its size and the number of doses it is receiving. In operation since December 23, the process has become smoother over the weeks, health officials say. Close examination of the distribution center highlights the many people and processes that must align before doses can be administered quickly and efficiently.
Two vaccines, two sets of protocols
Vaccines from Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. have different handling requirements, storage protocols and guidelines for thawing and dosing time.
Store: Facilities that handle both vaccines need to be equipped with three types of freezers and refrigeration units. One capable of storing the Pfizer vaccine in deep freezing, another one for storing the Modern vaccine and then a refrigerator used for defrosting. The crucial components of vaccines can easily destabilize if they are not stored at the right temperature.
Health workers at vaccination sites are constantly managing freezing, chilling and thawing times. At the same time, they need to be careful that the thawed vaccines are not left unused beyond the expiration date. The Pfizer vaccine can remain thawed after dilution for six hours before expiration. For the Modern vaccine, the period is also six hours.