Newman Regional Health is getting ready for new coronavirus vaccines as soon as they are approved by the federal government.
The hospital has purchased two freezers to handle the pair of vaccines that seem closest to widespread production at this time after Pfizer said it’s at 90 percent effectiveness. On KVOE’s Morning Show on Veterans Day, Newman Regional Health CEO Bob Wright said the vaccine gaining the most attention needs to be stored at temperatures well below zero, so the hospital has a -70 Fahrenheit freezer currently on order.
The first vaccine is also “cumbersome” with just a six-hour lifespan, so it will likely go to staff and long-term care patients via drive-thru delivery.
The second vaccine only needs temperatures slightly below freezing and is easier to handle.
Wright says both vaccines are awaiting emergency use authorization by the federal government. If that happens, the first vaccine could be ready by sometime next month and the second vaccine could be ready by early 2021.
Graphics courtesy Newman Regional Health
{gallery}111220 NRH COVID Vaccine Freezers{/gallery}
