1,900 Coronavirus Vaccines Spoiled In Boston VA Freezer Mishap

BOSTON — A freezer mishap spoiled nearly 2,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine at the VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain.

The freezer failed Tuesday, ruining 1,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine, according to a VA Boston Healthcare System spokesperson.

The freezer's plug was found loose after a contractor accidentally removed it during a cleaning, spokesperson Kyle Toto said. The freezer's alarm system never went off.

The VA is investigating but said it doesn't expect any significant delay in vaccinating residents and health care personnel.

"Replenishment doses are in process and we do not foresee disruption of our vaccination effort," Toto said.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says on its website it has a limited number of vaccines.

The Moderna vaccines arrive between negative-13 and 5 degrees and vials can be stored between 36 and 46 degrees for up to 30 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Massachusetts is receiving around 80,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines per week, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday. Baker said everyone in phase one of the state's vaccination plan is now eligible to receive them.

Massachusetts — and much of the country — have been plagued by a patchwork vaccine distribution and storage issues. President Joe Biden this week signed executive orders aimed at coordinating the effort.

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Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Boston Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.