U.S. winter storm is delaying COVID-19 vaccine deliveries in Florida
DORAL, FL – The winter storm that has affected most of the country is delaying a big part of the COVID-19 vaccine shipments this week in Florida.
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, confirmed it this morning in a news conference where he stated COVID-19 distribution trucks haven’t been able to departure due to the weather conditions, reported Univision 23.
The winter storm has also caused cancelation of many flights across the country, which has compromised the deliveries process even more.
In his news conference, DeSantis said that most of the Pfizer vaccines scheduled for distribution this week, have already arrived, while Moderna’s vaccines are facing more delays.
Univision 23 reported that around 136.000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have already arrived, while the 9.000 pending vaccines will possibly arrive tonight, Feb.17, or early tomorrow.
Regarding Moderna’s vaccines, about 200,000 were expected to arrive last Tuesday, but will probably arrive on Thursday, according to Samantha Bequer, press secretary for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, as reported by Sun Suntinel.
“The state remains in constant contact with providers as we continue to monitor these shipments…we will provide updates as they become available,” said Bequer.
Due to this scenario, Publix has already canceled Wednesday’s scheduling event in Florida for vaccinations at the nearly 600 pharmacies where the shots are being administered in its stores.
This means that people who already booked appointments for Wednesday or Thursday will be able to get vaccinated as planned, while slots for new vaccine appointments are not opened yet.
“We know how important administering this vaccine is, so we deeply regret the need to cancel Wednesday’s scheduling event,” said Publix Director of Communications, Maria Brous, in a written statement cited by the media.
“Once additional vaccine is received, we will announce the next opportunity for vaccine appointment scheduling,” she added.
Winn Dixie, on the other hand, has also experienced delay in the shipments that were meant to arrive in its pharmacies this week, which means that, just like in Publix, people won’t be able to make new appointments at this time.
“Our customers will be the first to know through the website when additional appointments are available,” said a spokesman as cited by Sun Suntinel.
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