Producing and Distributing COVID-19 Vaccine Ancillary Supply and Mixing Kits
To ensure vaccination sites across the nation are prepared and equipped to administer COVID-19 vaccines, the SNS is working in partnership with McKesson Corporation to produce, store, and rapidly distribute vaccine ancillary supply and mixing kits.
Kit Assembly
The ancillary kitting operation has required specific configurations for each of the multiple COVID‑19 vaccine candidates. Standard adult ancillary kits, designed for use with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, contain needles, syringes, alcohol pads, vaccination cards, needle info cards, and PPE (e.g., face shields and surgical masks) for vaccinators. Each standard adult ancillary kit contains supplies to administer 100 doses of vaccine (with some overage).
Each kit configured for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID‑19 vaccine – known as the large combined ancillary kit or super Pfizer mega kit – includes needles, syringes, alcohol pads, vaccination cards, needle info cards, and PPE (e.g., face shields and surgical masks) for vaccinators. Mixing kits also are included for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which requires reconstitution with diluent or mixing with adjuvant at the point of administration. Each Pfizer-BioNTech ancillary kit supports 1,170 doses of vaccine (with some overage). The ancillary kitting operation also includes production and shipment of dry ice kits needed to manage, store, and handle the Pfizer-BioNTech ultra-frozen COVID-19 vaccine under proper conditions to maintain the cold chain requirements.
Distribution and Delivery
All COVID-19 vaccine ancillary kits needed to administer the pandemic vaccinations are automatically ordered and distributed by McKesson in amounts to match vaccine orders.
To support proper cold-chain storage, handling, and transport of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with ultra-cold temperature requirements, the SNS and McKesson are also assembling and providing dry ice kits with supplies (e.g., gloves for working with dry ice, face shield, ice scoop, dry ice safety card) for the first re-icing to support dry ice recharge of one thermal shipping container. Additional dry ice shipments will NOT be provided.
Together, SNS and McKesson will produce and distribute enough ancillary supply and mixing kits to support 1.32 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.
Contact Us
For further questions or information about the Strategic National Stockpile, please email us at sns.ops@cdc.gov
