Severe winter storms will cause ‘widespread delays’ in COVID-19 vaccine shipments, CDC says

LOS ANGELES - Dangerous winter storms in the United States have caused record subzero temperatures, power outages for millions of homeowners and have led to more than two dozen deaths. The inclement weather is also expected to have a large impact on the shipment and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Due to the severe winter weather currently impacting a large swath of the country, the U.S. government is projecting widespread delays in COVID-19 vaccine shipments and deliveries over the next few days," Jasmine Reed, a CDC spokesperson told FOX Television Stations.

Reed says the CDC is working closely with its partners to get the vaccine out to Americans, but the storm conditions facing the nation is likely to impact its swiftness.

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Shipping partners are working to deliver vaccine where possible, contingent on local conditions, but the adverse weather is expected to continue to impact shipments out of the FedEx facility in Memphis, Tenn., as well as the UPS facility in Louisville, Ken., which serve as vaccine shipping hubs for multiple states," Reed explained.

Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are currently in effect for a large portion of the country, including Memphis and Louisville, where the coronavirus vaccines are shipped from.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasted a high of 26 degrees with a 90 percent chance of snow in Memphis — a city already impacted with snow and icy conditions.

Meanwhile, Louisville is bracing for another round of wintry weather with another 1 to 3 inches of snow expected