We're learning a lot about what it takes to get vaccines through production and into the arms of Americans. The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has taught us a lot.
Currently, we're at the stage of the game where many people have determined they will be vaccinated. It's a matter of waiting their turn, however, based on vaccine priority guidelines, which vary by state.
Some lucky grocery shoppers in Washington, DC, got the opportunity to get their vaccine early. DC residents David MacMillan and Franck Le Bousse didn't hesitate to take pharmacists up on the offer when it was presented to them while they were shopping.
The pharmacists were being resourceful with vaccines that would otherwise expire and be discarded. The Moderna vaccine has to be kept at about 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches room temperature, it must be used within 12 hours. In these instances, pharmacists are looking to get the vaccine out by utilizing those who are present when priority group members fail to attend their appointments.
David and Frank both shared their experiences and what the opportunity meant to them.
Pharmacists around the country are working on rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine. Those dealing with the Moderna vaccine face unique challenges due to the temperature requirements for the vaccines. The vaccines need to be kept at about 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the vaccines reach room temperature, they must used within 12 hours.
Pharmacies are working against the clock to make sure vaccines get into arms, but sometimes that can be difficult. Some pharmacists in Washington, DC, got creative when they found themselves with vaccines in danger of expiring for being at room temperature for too long.
Two grocery shoppers at different grocery stores in the area took to social media to share their experiences.
David MacMillan was at a Giant Food with a friend when the pharmacist came up to them and asked if they wanted to get the Moderna vaccine. The law student documented the experience and shared it on TikTok.
"She turned to us and was like, 'Hey, I've got two doses of the vaccine and I'm going to have to throw them away if I don't give them to somebody. We close in 10 minutes. Do you want the Moderna vaccine?" he explains in the video.
David hoped a lot of people would see his video, and it might help dispel some of the rumors and myths around the vaccine. To date, it's been liked by nearly 200,000 people.
He shared that he had some muscle aches and a headache but was otherwise fine after receiving it. He's already scheduled for his second shot.
"It's important that, when there's so much misinformation swirling, that people are able to see that this is a good thing, this is a positive thing. We should be excited about being able to deal with the pandemic," he told NBC4.
David's very grateful to the quick-thinking pharmacist.
"Obviously the pharmacist is the hero here," he said.
"She only had a short period of time and she wanted to make sure that as many people got vaccinated as possible. So props to her, absolutely."
Franck Le Bousse had a similar experience at a different store. He was shopping in a Safeway in DC when the pharmacist shared that she had 12 doses she needed to administer before the store closed in an hour, or they would expire. He called his wife, Beth Miller, to meet him at the store.
"I just grabbed my coat and ran to Safeway," Beth told The Washington Post.
She arrived in time to see Franck get inoculated and walk out after. "He looked like he won the lottery," she smiled.
When Beth got her turn, she asked the pharmacist how it was possible she could get the vaccine when neither she nor Franck, both architects, fall into any priority groups.
"He said, 'Once the vial is open, it can only be out of refrigeration for 12 hours,'" she noted.
"They had 15 more doses after me."
Both Franck and Beth were surprised to feel so euphoric after getting the shot.
"It makes you believe in Superman suddenly," Franck said.
"It felt like this huge weight had been lifted. I was not expecting that at all," Beth added.
