A vaccine for the COVID-19 disease may not yet be available, but the State of California is preparing a vaccination plan for its nearly 40 million residents.
On October 16th, 2020, California took a step closer to protecting its population by submitting a plan to federal authorities on its upcoming vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The plan addresses who will get the vaccine first, how the vaccine will be distributed, and logistic concerns, such as storage and transportation. EMTs, Paramedics, and other first responders would be among the first to receive the vaccine.
Vaccine rollout is expected in several phases. During the first phase of the vaccination program, the vaccine will go to those at the highest risk of death from exposure, such as first responders, health care workers, and nursing home residents. As vaccine supply increases, the general population (along with people in the first phase who did not receive a vaccine previously) will receive the vaccine. Eventually surplus doses will be received and stored to vaccinate anyone in the general population who did not receive a dose earlier.
Storage and transport of the vaccine is another concern in planning for the state-wide vaccination program. Pfizer’s vaccine, currently considered the most likely vaccine to complete trials and become available for use, can only be stored in a regular refrigerator for about 24 hours. Long term storage of this vaccine will require special refrigeration techniques not normally found in the typical doctor’s office. Other vaccines in the study have less strenuous storage requirements and could instead use a “cold-chain” storage and distribution system, similar to what was used for the H1N1 vaccination program.
More information from the CDC on the requirements for state vaccination distribution programs can be found here.
