Vaccine Storage Problems Arise in Hospitals

Nearly 2,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were spoiled after a contractor accidentally unplugged a freezer


Preparing hospitals for the storage and distribution of vaccines to curtail the spread of the coronavirus is proving to be challenging for some facilities, in part because of the refrigeration requirements involved.

Nearly 2,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were spoiled at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Boston after a contractor accidentally unplugged a freezer, according to CBS News. Staff at the Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center discovered that a freezer had failed, compromising 1,900 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

The plug to the freezer was found loose after a contractor accidentally unplugged it while cleaning, according to a spokesman for VA Boston Healthcare System. The freezer had been in a safe location and had an alarm system, he said.

The system is investigating the cause of the incident and the reason the monitoring alarm system did not work. More doses are on the way,, and officials say they do not foresee disruption of the system's vaccination effort.

Temperature issues have caused problems for vaccine rollouts in other states. Nearly 12,000 Moderna doses that were being shipped to Michigan recently were spoiled after getting too cold. In Wisconsin, a pharmacist faces charges after authorities say he deliberately ruined hundreds of doses by removing them from refrigeration for two nights.

Click here to read the article.



January 27, 2021


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

State of the Facilities Management Industry in 2025

Many facility managers cite budget constraints and the rise in operating concerns as their top concerns heading into the new year.


City of Hope to Open New Cancer Specialty Hospital in California

This 72-acre academic research campus offers patients access to the full continuum of advanced cancer care.


Montefiore Einstein Opening New Inpatient Center for Youth in the Bronx

New 21-bed inpatient pediatric mental health center adds critical care beds to address behavioral and mental health needs in the Bronx, nearly doubling inpatient capacity.


Skill Stacking: How Micro-Credentials Are Reshaping Trades

Micro-credentials can keep skilled trade workers up to speed with modern systems and complement longer, more formal training programs.


Prima Medicine Opens New Location in Tysons, Virginia

The Tysons location becomes Prima Medicine's fifth practice in the Washington metropolitan area.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.