US begins COVID vaccine distribution | Coronavirus News

The United States has kicked off a massive logistical effort to distribute coronavirus vaccines across the country. The first shipments of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine were sent out to distribution centers across the United States on Sunday. It was the first step in a massive COVID vaccine rollout in the world's worst-hit country — with vaccinations expected to begin on Monday. Workers at a Pfizer factory in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, packed the first shipments of the vaccine in boxes layered with dry ice. Refrigerated trucks carrying the first shipments were escorted to a nearby airport by security officers wearing body armor. The first shipments of the vaccine, co-developed with German pharmaceutical firm BioNTech, will be staggered. On Monday, 145 distribution centers will receive the first doses. An additional 425 sites will get shipments on Tuesday while the another 66 centers will get the vaccine on Wednesday. The distribution comes after US regulators with the FDA authorized emergency use of the vaccine late on Friday — following similar moves by Canada and the United Kingdom.

The vaccine must be stored at around -70 degrees Celsius (-94 Fahrenheit), which presents a logistical challenge being met by dry ice and specially designed refrigerators. The vaccine must be stored at around -70 degrees Celsius (-94 Fahrenheit), which presents a logistical challenge being met by dry ice and specially designed refrigerators.

The vaccine must be stored at around -70 degrees Celsius (-94 Fahrenheit), which presents a logistical challenge being met by dry ice and specially designed refrigerators.

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