UT Health pharmacist protects COVID-19 vaccine thru winter storms

TYLER — When Melissa Maeker, director of pharmacy for UT Health North Campus Tyler, saw the weather forecast late last week, she went into planning mode. As with previous ice storms, she planned to stay at the pharmacy for a few nights so she could still work and wouldn’t have to risk being on icy roadways. However, this time there was a new element in her preparations, making sure power remained on to protect COVID-19 vaccines, that are kept in an ultracold freezer at the pharmacy. Once the vaccine vial is removed from ultracold storage, it can remain in a regular refrigerator for five days. U.T. says, Maeker has slept on a cot in her office, since last Sunday, to protect the vaccines. She wanted to ensure she would hear the alarm on the freezer go off if the temperature were to rise. Fortunately, power was maintained in the pharmacy, but Maeker had various other scenarios ready to go if need be.