More than 4,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine delivered to Maine clinics this week were booked and not given to patients because the boxes got too hot during transport, officials said on Tuesday. However, replacement shipments corresponding to what could not be used were due to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said 35 of the 50 locations that accepted shipments of Modern vaccines on Monday received boxes that displayed a red check mark, a sensor indicating that indoor temperatures exceeded the safety limit at some point while in transit. The Modern vaccine is shipped in containers at minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, the Maine CDC instructed clinics not to administer the 4,400 doses to individuals.
Shah said the problem appeared to be occurring during packaging or transportation and “it’s not something at the Maine CDC or the state of Maine.” Shipments to other states have also exceeded the temperature limit required to ensure that vaccines remain viable, Shah said.
US government Operation Warp Speed sent replacement doses to these locations on Tuesday and Wednesday, and potentially compromised vaccines will be evaluated by Moderna or federal investigators to see if they are still safe for use. Shah said the news, while “regrettable”, highlights the safeguards put in place.
“This news is worrying, but it is important to note that this is how the system works,” said Shah during Tuesday’s briefing. “There are numerous checks along the way to ensure that when a vaccine arrives, it is safe and effective, as well as viable. And if at some point in the vaccine journey – from the manufacturing site to someone’s arm here in Maine – the conditions of transportation, handling and transportation are not ideal, there are processes in place for us to know this and for the vaccine to be given to someone. “
While in this case the problem was with the temperature of the vaccine in transit, once the Modern vaccine arrives, it must be stored in a freezer of minus 4 degrees, or it can be stored for up to 30 days in the refrigerator.
It is the latest development of the difficult federal government implementation of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine across the country. Maine and other states received fewer doses than anticipated, and states are still struggling to plan their mass vaccination efforts amid confusing statements by Trump administration officials about the pace of delivery of the vaccine.
Shah said the federal government’s vaccine shipments to Maine should contain just slightly more doses than the 18,550 received this week.
“The biggest limitation of the system now remains the supply of vaccine,” said Shah.
Maine reported 386 new cases of COVID-19 and five additional deaths on Tuesday, as health workers begin scheduling immunizations for seniors 70 and older.
After a late fall and winter that saw an increase in cases in Maine, Tuesday was the fourth consecutive day of relatively low cash counts, with each day below 500 new cases. However, it is possible that Maine is still experiencing a delay in reporting holiday weekend cases, and Monday was Martin Luther King Jr.’s day. The seven-day average of new daily cases is more than 500 since the beginning of January. Last week, Maine recorded three consecutive days with 800 or more new cases daily.
The seven-day average of new daily cases stood at 562.3 on Tuesday, down from 624 on 15 January. A week ago, the seven-day average was 537.3, a month ago and 445.4 a month ago.
Overall, Maine reported 34,262 COVID-19 cases and 519 deaths. COVID-19’s positivity rate for molecular testing was 4.6 percent on Tuesday, down about one percentage point from the previous week, Shah said, a trend going in a positive direction.
The state is beginning to vaccinate its population aged 70 and over this week, with a website that lists all health providers available in the state that offer immunizations. Clinics are being set up and appointments are scheduled with some of the health care providers, including MaineHealth. MaineHealth, the parent company of Maine Medical Center in Portland with a health care system that covers many parts of the state, has created a number of call centers for consultations. To make an appointment, call 877-780-7545.
Shah said he understands that many will find it difficult to make appointments while vaccine supplies are in short supply and demand is high, but he expects that to improve in the coming weeks as supply improves. Biden’s next administration made vaccine distribution one of his priorities.
“I ask everyone to have a little more patience with us,” said Shah.
Nurse Debbie Brenton prepares a syringe with the Modern COVID-19 vaccine from a person at the Northern Light Homecare and Hospice vaccine clinic on Wednesday, January 13. On Wednesday, the clinic was mainly vaccinating school nurses and other independent medical providers. Team photo by Brianna SoukupBrianna Soukup / Staff Photographe
Last week, Governor Janet Mills announced that the state would move adults 70 and older and young people with high-risk health conditions to a higher place on the priority list to receive the COVID-19 vaccines.
Maine is running Phase 1A and Phase 1B of the vaccination program simultaneously, with Phase 1A including healthcare professionals, paramedics, staff and residents of nursing homes and police. Phase 1B includes those aged 70 and over, young adults with high-risk health conditions and essential frontline workers, such as teachers, grocery clerks and postal workers. Within 1B, some groups are likely to have higher priority than others, and the state is prioritizing seniors, as they are the most vulnerable to die from COVID-19. Those aged 70 and over account for 85 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in Maine. Later, in Phase 1B, the state will start vaccinating at ages 65-69.
Maine administered 81,355 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 68,914 first doses and 12,411 second doses.
Currently, 191 people in Maine are hospitalized with COVID-19, including 68 in intensive care.
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