CLEVELAND — As the nation awaits the Food and Drug Administration to authorize emergency usage of a COVID-19 vaccine, locations throughout the country are preparing to receive the shots.
The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center announced Friday that it has been selected as one of 37 VA sites nationwide that will be receiving initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine once they're distributed.
“The Cleveland VAMC was selected for its ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures,” officials said in a press release.
The location will begin administering vaccinations for healthcare personnel and veterans in VA’s long-term healthcare facilities as soon as authorization is approved.
The head of the FDA said Friday that Pfizer has been notified the organization “will rapidly work” to get the vaccine approved.
Cleveland VA officials noted the first supply will be limited, but said their ultimate goal is to offer the vaccine to all veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated.
It comes as new COVID-19 infections continue surging.
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