President Joe Biden’s promise that 100 million Americans would be vaccinated in his first 100 days in office is about to end. This week, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine launch added to the arsenal.
For the people who sent this vaccine, it was a very special delivery.
At McKesson, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine distribution company, early shipments on Monday gave hope and a message. The first one said, “J&J’s first package: stay healthy.”
Kamryn Brown, a Kentucky facility supervisor who handled vaccine shipments, told CBS News, “It all started with our great director of operations. After that, we all took turns signing our own. messages and names. Mine was “vaccinated. Love. Kamryn. “”
Brown and the other supervisors, including Kristi Larson, signed the first box.
“It was a humiliating moment, knowing that we now had the vaccine in our hands and we were able to send it and be able to send it to so many people,” Larson said. “I think I was crying half the time.”
With regular dosing and refrigeration, this vaccine can more easily reach community health centers and the rural United States. That’s why, for Brown, this is not a job, it’s a mission.
“To me, it ‘s like being one of the front – line troops against the war against COVID, “she said.
And these troops have been training. Prior to FDA approval, they conducted drills with soap boxes similar in size to vaccine packages.
“We practiced with Irish Spring soap to get ready when we started getting orders,” Larson said. He added, “It smelled really good.”
The FDA signed and also signed their names.
“I hope that when they saw this message, they knew we cared and that we will definitely continue to strive to make sure they are well vaccinated, well stocked and that we will kick this COVID,” Brown said.