Power outage spurs rush to use COVID-19 vaccines at Tulalip reservation
The Tulalip tribe distributed 470 COVID-19 vaccine shots Wednesday after a windstorm knocked out power, putting the vaccine at risk of thawing and being destroyed. Author: Eric Wilkinson Updated: 5:56 PM PST January 13, 2021
TULALIP, Wash. Tuesday night s storm knocked out power to the Tulalip Indian reservation, putting 470 doses of precious vaccine, which needs to be stored at well below zero, in danger of destruction. We were not going to let that happen, tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin said on Wednesday.
While the tribe s health officials had been prepared for a power outage with a backup generator, it failed.