Winter weather wreaks havoc on vaccine shipments, canceling appointments

Maggie Kent Image
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Winter weather wreaks havoc on vaccine shipments, canceling appointments
Winter weather wreaks havoc on vaccine shipments, canceling appointmentsThe weather and shipping delays put a number of covid vaccination appointments on hold. Now states are playing catch-up.

BOOTHWYN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Pharmacists at Boothwyn Apothecary in Delaware County, Pennsylvania are trying to reschedule 100 second-dose COVID-19 vaccinations, which were postponed last week.

"We're going to be getting 100 second doses (Tuesday) hopefully, fingers crossed," said pharmacist Noel Boehm.

Boehm is hopeful for a Moderna vaccine shipment that never came because of winter weather issues.

"They're coming from McKesson, which is in Texas. So, they didn't ship out any Moderna vaccine last week," said Boehm.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health says those shipments are coming this week, as are the week's typical allotment.

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"They will be coming through and they are arriving today, tomorrow or Wednesday this week," said Barry Ciccocioppo, a spokesperson with the Pennsylvania Department of Heath.

New Jersey is expecting last week's Moderna vaccines to come in Monday. The state is still tracking Pfizer doses.

"We know that these shipping delays have caused some appointments to be rescheduled and we certainly understand how disappointing that is for residents," said NJ Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.

Andre Bell is a teacher's assistant with a Philadelphia charter school. On Monday, he got his first vaccination at CHOP Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, taking advantage of the program launched by the city to vaccinate school workers.

"I think the first shot is a good step towards something being done," said Bell.

Bell says he'd feel more secure returning to work once fully vaccinated.

"If schools open up with nothing, there's just trouble ahead," said Bell.

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