Differences Between The Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccines developed by pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Pfizer have each received an emergency use authorization from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are in the early stages of distribution, however, key differences in the vaccines may impact which healthcare providers are able to access them.
The two vaccines have minor differences in terms of administration and dosage, but more impactful is the stark difference in storage requirements.
The Pfizer vaccine must be shipped and stored between -112 and -76 degrees Fahrenheit in specialty ultra-cold freezers.
Alternatively, the vaccine may be stored temporarily in a thermal shipping container and regularly covered in dry ice. It may also be kept in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit for up to five days, at which point any remaining vials must be discarded.
Providence Health To Receive Over 26,000 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine In Next Two Weeks
Providence Health and Services, which operates several locations in Santa Clarita, is expected to receive 26,325 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed across their network of ten hospitals in southern California.
The initial wave of vaccines is intended for “high-risk” caregivers and service providers employed across the Providence network, which includes Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills and the Facey Medical Group in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“We have been working very diligently in getting ourselves ready for this historical moment,” said Sylvain Trepanier, DNP, RN, Providence regional chief clinical executive. “We’re poised and ready to start vaccinating all of our high-risk caregivers and providers that are working day-in and day-out to keep everyone safe.”