Berlin to open six COVID mass vaccination centers

Berlin aims to open six centers capable of vaccinating up to 4,000 people per day with an approved COVID-19 vaccine by mid-December, project coordinator Albrecht Broemme told Reuters on Thursday.

Why is this important: If successful, Germany could be a model for the United States and other wealthy countries to overcome the logistical challenges of administering a vaccine that requires tight temperature and storage control.

Current plans assume that about 80% of the first doses will come from Pfizer / BioNTech and 20% from AstraZeneca, Broemme said.

• Two airport terminals, a vacant exhibition hall, an ice rink, a concert arena and a velodrome are currently designated as vaccination centers. Berlin hopes to administer up to 900,000 shots in the first three months.
• Broemme described people being guided through the malls as shoppers gathered in IKEA stores.

The big picture: Wealthy countries, including the United States, are increasingly confident to begin mass vaccination this spring, following the breakthroughs of Pfizer and Moderna.