HARRISBURG (KDKA) – The state says some suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines accidentally gave away doses that were supposed to be reserved for second shots.
“In the short term, we are facing applications for a second-dose Modern vaccine that far exceeds the Modern vaccine assigned to the state this week,” said Alison Beam, secretary of health functions.
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This does not affect the Pfizer vaccine.
Beam said this week some 200,000 doses of Moderna second were ordered, roughly the entire Moderna weekly allocation from the state.
She describes it as a “structural problem” that began in early January and “grouped together week after week.” Now the state is dealing with it because it has become such an important issue. Beam says the state is working on a plan to move forward and secure second doses.
“We are working to resolve this week. Over the next two to three weeks, we will have corrected it, ”he said.
She would not say which providers made the mistake.
“First, we explored the excess inventory that was not planned for the administration this week, and as far as we could, we used it to fix this problem. Second, one of the remedies includes adjusting. the timing of the administration of the second dose of Moderna, ”Beam said.
Beam says all vendors will follow CDC guidelines that say the minimum time between the first and second shot is 28 days and the maximum is 42.
“By extending the time between doses, staying within CDC guidelines, we can minimize any disruption to first-dose vaccines,” Beam said. “Our goal is to get extremely limited supply and vaccine to people as quickly and effectively as possible.”
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Beam said there are between 30,000 and 60,000 people who will likely have to reschedule their second appointments a week or two later. As for the first appointments, there could be 30,000 to 55,000 doses that suppliers expected would not be delivered.
Beam said anyone who has taken the wrong dose should not restart their vaccination process.
“There is no difference in the drug in the first and second dose,” Beam said.
The secretary said people should make their second shot in the same place as the first.
Health officials continued to stress that supply remains the main problem for receiving gunshots.
Dra. Debra Bogen, health director for Allegheny County, says she keeps the first and second doses separate. As for other places, he couldn’t tell.
At this time, Dr. Bogen has no time when county sites can expand to the entire Phase 1A.
“The last few weeks have focused on people aged 65 and over. So far, about half of our doses have been for people aged 65 and over, ”he said during a press conference on Wednesday.
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The county health department receives about 10% of the county’s vaccines. Most go to health systems and hospitals.