Healthcare workers stuck in snowstorm give COVID-19 vaccines to trapped motorists

Public health personnel in Josephine County, Oregon were faced with a dilemma when they got stuck in a snowstorm on Highway 199. With the COVID-19 vaccines that were on the point of expiring and an ambulance in which to work, they decided to offer the vaccines to other motorists.

Workers were on their backs to Grants Pass after a vaccination event at Illinois Valley High School when they got stranded, according to a Facebook post from Josephine County Public Health.

The team still had six doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but with the snow, they wouldn’t be able to return until they expired. Not wanting to lose any, the volunteers started knocking on the windows of other cars stuck in the snow with them, offering the vaccine.

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Workers managed to administer all six doses to motorists, including an employee of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office who had arrived too late to get a high school shot but just got stranded near the ambulance.

Mike Weber, director of JCPH, said it was one of the coolest operations he’s ever been on. Although the Facebook post is not clear which vaccine was specifically used, the two main vaccines must be frozen so as not to spoil.

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