Wall Street Journal: The human and physical logistics behind COVID vaccine rollouts
UC emergency medicine expert shares insight on how COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed
As states and hospitals in the United States race to roll out the first COVID-19 vaccines, the Wall Street Journal talked to a hospital administrator and immunization expert about the logistical challenges involved in this first phase of the vaccination process.
Dustin Calhoun, MD, of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UC College of Medicine. Photo/Colleen Kelley/ UC Creative + Brand
University of Cincinnati Medical Center will be one of the locations distributing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Dustin Calhoun, MD, in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UC College of Medicine, says in Ohio, the vaccine will be distributed in lots of 975 doses.
"The prepositioning sites will probably be receiving one package each initially, and then significantly larger amounts flowing after that," says Calhoun. "Any facility that needs a smaller amount than the 975 of the Pfizer vaccine, will be receiving it after it is re-processed through the state of Ohio into smaller lots of about 100 doses."
Calhoun says the initial rollout of the vaccine to frontline health care workers will help guide the process of giving it to the general population once the vaccine is more widely available.
Watch the full video report here.
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's medical, graduate and undergraduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
The subtle changes in hearing you should never ignore
July 24, 2026
It’s easy to dismiss changes in hearing as minor. But as The Washington Post recently reported, these symptoms could also signal a medical emergency that many people don’t recognize — known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss, a rapid decline in hearing that occurs suddenly or over a few days.
UC experts say proper produce washing is key defense against Cyclospora
July 24, 2026
Hamilton County Public Health reports confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, as concerns persist. Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause a stomach illness lasting days — sometimes even weeks. University of Cincinnati medical experts say it is usually linked to contaminated water or food, often fresh produce.
What are the options for male birth control?
July 24, 2026
Despite major advances in contraception during the past several decades, responsibility for pregnancy prevention falls largely on women. As recently reported in Endocrinology Advisor, a new generation of male contraceptive candidates is advancing into early- and mid-stage clinical trials.