Many didnât have a freezer capable of keeping the vaccine that cold.
And that set off a scramble by some hospitals, including Berkshire Medical Center, to purchase the necessary ultracold freezer.
âThey are very difficult to find,â said spokesperson Michael Leary. âEspecially right now.â
Then, the head of Pittsfieldâs Berkshire Innovation Center happened to see a TV report about how a shortage of freezers could hinder vaccine distribution.
âAnd I turned to my wife and said, âWe have one of those!â â said Ben Sosne, the centerâs executive director. BIC had installed an ultracold freezer in its laboratory space just before opening in February, and the $15,000-machine was sitting unused because of the pandemic.