While coronavirus vaccine distribution sites continue to pop up all over the country, Penn State is putting plans in place to become a vaccine site…should it be asked to become one.

The university announced last week that it purchased a freezer for the proper storage of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. There are also plans in place for patient registration, location planning, and vaccine management and status tracking should a vaccine site show up on campus.

In addition, Penn State has identified employees that are currently eligible to be vaccinated through Pennsylvania’s Phase 1A. At this time, students without pre-existing conditions aren’t eligible to receive vaccines until the final phase of Pennsylvania’s rollout plan.

“We’ve offered our assistance to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help with vaccine distribution and are ready to assist if called upon,” Penn State President Eric Barron said. “We’ve leveraged our considerable expertise in areas such as logistics, information technology, communications, and health care — with various Penn State units and academic colleges stepping up — to formulate a robust plan to be prepared if the state looks to the University for further support.  This may provide a valuable option in meeting vaccinating our campus communities, as well as the surrounding communities if asked.”

University employees who are on the list for vaccine priority currently include those from the Office of the Physical Plant, dining and residence hall workers, and health care personnel. Education workers who are in contact with students, including undergraduate and graduate students that help with instruction or health-related services, are eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1B.

After vaccine distribution is no longer needed from Penn State, the university will use the vaccine freezers for research purposes.