Phoebe reps suggest a vaccine is weeks away from reaching southwest Georgia

ALBANY, Ga. – In preparation for the daunting task of vaccinating the area from COVID-19, Phoebe Health System initiated a task force to help place Phoebe in a position to lead the way in vaccinating South West Georgia from COVID-19

“We also have a community COVID-19 vaccine task force to make sure we are positioned to the best of our ability when a vaccine does become available and its distributed to us, that we can get it to the people that need it the most,” said Dr. Steven Kitchen during Dougherty County’s COVID-19 task force meeting.

And now with the arrival of an ultra-cold refrigeration system, Phoebe is one of the first organizations in the state capable of storing and distributing what will likely be the first available COVID-19 vaccine.

“This is a vaccine that does require what is called, cold storage, It has to be stored at minus 70 degrees centigrade. So, that requires a special type of storage device.”

Phoebe has obtained three cold storage units. One will be placed in Phoebe North, another in Phoebe Sumter and the third at Phoebe Worth.