BOSTON (WHDH) – More than 1,200 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were missed in Massachusetts as of Friday.
State officials say 1,096 doses of the Moderna vaccine and 176 doses of the Pfizer vaccine went to waste, making a total of 1,272.
Of the 960,100 doses sent to date, the authorities say that this represents a vaccine loss percentage of 0.13.
“Any vaccine that gets lost is a missed opportunity,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “A tremendous loss.”
In Somerville, a doctor’s office is taking steps to prevent his vaccines from spoiling.
Dr. Deborah Bershel, who works at Davis Square Family Practice, said she had 100 doses to distribute a day, but when her office started calling patients 75 and older, they were surprised by the answer.
“About 50% of our patients aged 75 or older already had a vaccine and one said that he had received three vaccine offers,” said Bershel.
The problem is that when the bottles of Moderna are opened, they must be placed in the arms in 6 hours or they will be thrown away.
So to make sure there is no leftovers at the Somerville clinic, Bershel said his team started offering vaccines to patients in Phase 2.
“Someone 64 years old, who has diabetes and heart disease does not qualify compared to someone 75 years old who is sheltered at home … this is ridiculous,” she said.
The state saying that this course of action is OK. If the vaccine expires, health professionals can give the vaccine to someone in another priority group.
“It’s like a war,” said Bershel. “We need to vaccinate people as soon as possible.”
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