President Joe Biden’s promise that 100 million Americans would be vaccinated in his first 100 days in office is nearing completion. This week, the Introduction of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine added to the arsenal.
For the people who shipped that vaccine, it was a very special delivery.
At McKesson, the company that distributes the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the first shipments on Monday brought hope and a message. The first was, “First J&J pack out – get healthy.”
Kamryn Brown, a supervisor at the Kentucky facility who handled the vaccine shipments, told CBS News: “It all started with our great chief of operations. Then we all took turns signing our own messages and names. Mine was ‘get vaccinated.’ Kamryn. ”
Brown and the other supervisors, including Kristi Larson, signed the very first box.
“It was a humbling moment, knowing that we now had the vaccine in our hands and that we could ship it and send it to so many people,” Larson said. “I think I was crying half the time.”
With a single dose and regular refrigeration, this vaccine can more easily reach community and rural health centers in America. That’s why this isn’t a job for Brown – it’s a mission.
“For me it is as if I am one of the front troops against the war against COVID,” she said.
And these troops have trained. Before the FDA was approved, they performed exercises using soap boxes that were comparable in size to vaccine packaging.
“We practiced with Irish Spring soap to prepare for orders coming in,” said Larson. She added, “It smelled really good.”
The FDA signed off, and they signed their names too.
“I hope when they saw that 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 are going to kick this COVID in the butt. , ” Said Brown.