JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly a dozen hospitals in Northeast Florida are set to receive Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to receive federal approval soon.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that Florida is preparing to receive 367,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week, pending emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration.
The state released a list of 173 hospitals in 43 counties that would get Moderna’s vaccine, including:
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside
- Baptist Medical Center
- Memorial Hospital
- Nemours Children’s Hospital
- Mayo Clinic
- Lake City Medical Center
- Putnam Community Medical Center
- North Florida Regional Medical Center (Gainesville)
- UF Health Shands Gainesville
According to DeSantis, the state is able to distribute the Moderna vaccine to a large number of hospitals, as it does not require ultra-cold storage like the Pfizer vaccine that has to be stored between -112 and -76 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Moderna and Pfizer both have very similar effectiveness. However, the Moderna is easier to store,” said Jacksonville pharmacist Dr. Albert Chester. “Storage is important because you want to keep the efficacy.”
Moderna’s vaccine only needs to be stored at -13 to -5 degrees and it doesn’t need to be diluted like Pfizer’s -- it comes ready to go. Both vaccines are said to be 95% effective and both need to be given in two doses, weeks apart.
“People should take advantage of it,” Chester said. “Anytime you have an immunization and it has proven effectiveness and you want to protect yourself, I am all for it.”
The Pfizer vaccine, which was approved by the FDA for emergency use last week, is already being given to front-line workers at select hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities.
Chester points out that right now, the vaccines aren’t for young children. But he expects even more companies to come out with a chance at immunity, hoping they’ll be able to reach more people.
“Everybody’s taking their crack at it,” Chester said. “At a time like this when it’s in such high demand, I wouldn’t be surprised if we have maybe two or three other companies that are on the cusp of coming out with something to protect the population.”
Chester also said getting a vaccine isn’t a free pass -- people need to still be careful, wear masks and keep their distance. He said it’ll take a long time to get the community to a point of normalcy again.