Hundreds of Covid-19 vaccine doses tossed out in Pueblo
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) A portable storage unit malfunction forced health officials in Pueblo County to toss out hundreds of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE), 300 doses of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine have been rendered unusable.
On January 4th, the vaccines were being transported from the Pueblo County Health Department to a Pueblo Fire Station to vaccinate first responders.
The Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at a temperature of -94 degrees. However, vaccines must be thawed-out before usage. At that point, they must remain within 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Adam and his friends met for oysters and wine at Angelo s Taverna in Denver s Capitol Hill neighborhood to celebrate his birthday, just a few days after dining in was allowed again. Jan. 5, 2020.
In the space of a few weeks starting around Halloween, the number of COVID-19 patients in Dr. Sandeep Vijan’s Pueblo hospital grew from 10 to almost 140.
“We were at that point all hands on deck for COVID care,” said Vijan, chief medical officer at Parkview Medical Center. Staff were pushed to the limit as they shut down all non-emergency surgeries and triaged resources. At one point they were so full they had to transfer COVID patients to other hospitals. The county brought a freezer truck to the coroner’s office to handle the bodies.
The Pueblo Chieftain
For the New Year, we thought it would be interesting to ask leaders from around the community for their 2021 wishes for Pueblo. The response was great. Some were personal. Some related to the contributor’s position. Many, of course, focused on COVID-19 challenges. So here we go …
Let’s start with of our two local hospitals leaders, who, given the pandemic, certainly played a critical role within our community this past year.
“I wish for the acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccines. There has been way too much pain and suffering for patients and families around the world.” Leslie Barnes, president and CEO, Parkview Medical Center.
They re saying goodbye to patients who are still alert as they gasp for breath.
It s no different in Pueblo, where nearly every day, doctors at Parkview Medical Center find themselves trying to comfort COVID-19 patients, many of whom are scared and alone.
Visitors are forbidden, unless the patient is so critically ill that the family wants to transition from medical procedures to only comfort of the patient.
Some need intubation because breathing is a huge challenge.
They are extremely sick and rapidly deteriorating, leaving doctors little time to ascertain patients wishes. It s so difficult to intubate these people because you are at the head of the bed. You re holding their head; you ve got a mask on their face giving them oxygen, and they are looking up at you crying and you are looking down at them telling them that you are going to do the best that you can to keep them alive and keep them safe, said Stephanie Harabaglia, a doctor at Parkview Medical Center.
Vaccinations underway at Pueblo hospitals
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) Starting Thursday, Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo will begin vaccinating their staff with the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine.
Registered Nurses, Certified Nurses Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, and any staff in direct contact with COVID-19 patients will have priority to receive the vaccine first.
Around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, the first shipment of 3,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines arrived at the Pueblo County Distribution Hub. 1,000 of those doses were transferred to Parkview Medical Center.
A total of 190 doses of the vaccine were delivered to Pueblo s St. Mary Corwin Medical Center, and six members of their staff were vaccinated Wednesday evening.