The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) signed a contract with McKesson Corp. to produce and distribute ancillary to help healthcare workers administering COVID-19 vaccines once they are approved.
The ancillary supply kits will be produced and distributed on behalf of the Strategic National Stockpile. Each kit will contain needles, syringes, alcohol prep pads, surgical masks and face shields for vaccinators, COVID-19 vaccination record cards for vaccine recipients, and a needle information card. The kits will contain enough supplies to administer up to 100 doses of vaccine. They will not include sharps containers, gloves, and bandages.
“Operation Warp Speed is laying the necessary groundwork for the rollout of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, including working for months to ensure we have enough ancillary supplies like needles and syringes,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. “With the Strategic National Stockpile and McKesson putting together the vaccine kits with needles, syringes, and PPE needed to vaccinate every American, we’ll ensure that safe and effective vaccines can reach Americans and start saving lives as soon as possible.”
The COVID-19 ancillary supply kits will be automatically distributed in amounts to match vaccine orders and will be provided at no cost to enrolled COVID-19 vaccination providers.
“Ensuring that ancillary supply kits are ready to safely administer a COVID-19 vaccine is one more step toward halting the spread of this disease,” HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec, who oversees the Strategic National Stockpile, said. “Since the onset of this pandemic, a multi-agency federal team has been working together and closely with our industry partners to strategically source and procure adequate quantities of ancillary supplies based on the requirements for each of the multiple vaccine candidates. Working with our industry partners, we are making certain we are ready to begin safe and effective vaccinations in the United States as soon as an FDA-approved or authorized vaccine is available.”
It is part of Operation Warp Speed, a partnership between HHS and the Department of Defense, along with private firms and other federal agencies, to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.