Nurse Helen Cordova (seated) received one of California’s first COVID-19 vaccinations at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center on Dec. 14.

The recent distribution of a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines sent some cautious optimism across a landscape rocked by skyrocketing hospitalization numbers. 

“It’s reason to be optimistic,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. ”But let’s be mindful of where we really are.”

Newsom visited a press event at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center on Dec. 14, where a small number of frontline professionals were vaccinated.

On Dec. 16, caregivers at Arrowhead Regional Medical center in Colton became the first to receive vaccinations in San Bernardino County. The first Orange County caregivers received their vaccine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange the same day. The first group of Riverside County professionals were immunized on Dec. 18. 

Dr. Sharon Wang (left) received the second San Bernardino County Pfizer BioNTech vaccine from nurse Marcia Williams at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton last week. At right, Williams administers the county’s first vaccine to nurse Sonya Harrell. 

Kaiser nurse Kim Taylor issued a plea to the public after receiving her Monday shot. 

“We frontline workers have been working around the clock over the past nine months, sacrificing so much of what we do and love to take care of our patients,” Taylor told the L.A. Times. “We’ve been doing this while trying to take care of our own families…. We need your help to keep our numbers down.”

Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Incentives From SCE

This month, some facilities are moving to purchase the ultra-cold freezer units needed to preserve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which requires storage temperatures of about -70C. Units aren’t cheap — they run from $12,000 to almost $30,000 depending on size. Bigger units can have 30 cubic feet of capacity — enough to harbor approximately 48,000 doses of vaccine, according to press reports. 

Southern California Edison has rolled out purchase incentives for specific energy-efficient models, said Janet McCoy-Hackney of the utility’s business customer division.

“As companies are racing to develop vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations like yours may be considering options for safe and proper refrigerated storage,” McCoy-Hackney related. ”SCE is currently offering incentives on energy-efficient Ultra-Low Temperature freezers to help meet the need. If you have recently purchased or plan to purchase an Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer in the near future please check out the incentive offerings.”

SCE offers the attached flier with additional details. Click here or below to print or view it.

Please contact HASC’s Adam Blackstone with questions.

Contact:
Adam Blackstone
(213) 538-0700
ablackstone@hasc.org