Pharmacists are preparing for the arrival of their first Moderna vaccine shipment later this month..
The coronavirus vaccine began shipping out all across the country, hospital staff in the golden triangle area began preparing for its arrival..
Wtvas nicole dantzler is live at the baptist memorial hospital to tell us when workers expect to receive the vaccine.
Pharmacists at the baptist memorial hospital say they will get the vaccine later this month..
Until then, they installed a special piece of equipment to ensure the pfizer vaccine will be stored correctly.
"a lot of work has gone into ensuring the cold chain is maintained throughout the entire shipping process."
Eli hilton-director of pharmacy, baptist memorial hospital 0:00-0:06;29 eli hilton is the director of pharmacy at the baptist memorial hospital golden triangle.
He said the pharmacists are training to properly handle and store the coronavirus vaccines at the right temperatures..
"you can be assured that when we get the vaccine that it's still going to be of good quality."
Pfizer will transport the vaccine directly to healthcare facilities..
"when it's shipped it comes in a special container.
It's going to be lined entirely with dry ice."
But hilton said baptist memorial hospital will not get the pfizer vaccine in their first round, instead their first allocation will be the moderna vaccine by december 21st.
"we're going to start administering these vaccines to first line employees, as soon as we can.
Possibly that day or the very next day."
The pharmacy staff installed a brand new freezer to store the pfizer vaccine in when it eventually arrives.
(nats) the freezer gets down to extremely cold temperatures because the doses need to be stored between minus 112 degrees farenheit and minus 76 degrees farenheit.
"that's colder than any other temperature i've ever been in."
Hilton said the hospital will receive 500 first doses of the moderna vaccine..
Moderna requires patients to get second doses within 28 days.
"i'm excited.
I'm comfortable with the vaccine.
It's really a medical marvel that they accomplished this so quickly."
Based on the hospital's usage of the first shipment of the moderna vaccine..
Baptist memorial could receive first and second doses in their second allotment.
Live in columbus nicole dantzler wtva nine news.
The o-c-h regional medical
So far, approximately 100 doctors, nurses and employees have received the first dose of the vaccine.
Moderna vaccinations are happening at Methodist-Olive Branch and Mississippi National Guardsmen began receiving the vaccine too.
