Healthcare workers trapped in blizzard give trapped motorists COVID-19 vaccines

Staff at the Josephine County Public Health in Oregon faced a problem when they were caught in a blizzard on Highway 199. With COVID-19 vaccinations coming soon and an ambulance to work in, they decided to offer the vaccines to other motorists.

The workers were on their way to the Grants Pass from a vaccination event at Illinois Valley High School when they got stuck, according to a Facebook report from Josephine County Public Health.

The team had six doses of COVID-19 vaccine left, but with the snow, they would not be able to return until they expired. The volunteers did not want to spill, but started knocking on the windows of the other cars that were stuck in the snow and offered the vaccine.

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The workers managed to administer all six doses to motorists, including one employee of the sheriff in Josephine County who arrived too late to get their vaccine at the high school but got stuck just near the ambulance.

Mike Weber JCPH Director said it was one of the coolest operations he has ever participated in. Although the Facebook entry does not make clear which vaccine was specifically used, both major vaccines need to be frozen so as not to go bad.

The Pfizer vaccine should be kept at about 70 degrees Celsius (minus 158 Fahrenheit), while Moderna’s should be kept at 20 Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). Once thawed, Pfizer’s vaccine can be kept in the refrigerator for five days, while Moderna can be kept for about 30 days.