Inside look at the company shipping ultra-cold COVID-19 vaccine freezers from Sparks
SPARKS, Nev. (News 4 and FOX 11) — A local facility has spent the last few months testing and shipping ultra-cold freezers across the country to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Across International's west coast distribution facility is located in the industrial area of Sparks. The company manufactures and distributes the specialized freezers needed to keep vaccines cold and retain their effectiveness.
"They're vitally important for the country," said sales manager Paul Breen, during a tour of the facility Thursday afternoon.
The company makes freezers that can get as cold as -86 degrees Celsius — or -122 degrees Fahrenheit. Over the last week, the facility received a big shipment of freezers, which are being tested and shipped across the United States.
Breen said the freezers are also being used locally. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, City of Reno and Sparks Fire Department have all purchased their freezers, he said.
"It's just exciting to be part of being able to help people out. It was fun taking calls from the different fire departments and folks that are actually going to be (administering the vaccines) and telling them 'Yeah, I got some. Finally!'"
The largest freezers can hold up to 32,000 vials or over 160,000 total doses.
