PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Pennsylvania Department of Health revealed on Wednesday a giant vaccine allocation error that could affect more than 100,000 vaccination visits. The mistake is to impact only the Modern vaccine.
The health department says that some providers have mixed 200,000 first and second doses. The state is now trying to find a replacement vaccine and reschedule appointments.
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“We are not here to place the blame anywhere,” said Pennsylvania Health Secretary Alison Beam.
The interim health secretary declined to name the vaccine suppliers who made the mistake, but called it a perfect storm that resulted in the misappropriation of 200,000 doses of the Modern vaccine.
“We found that some suppliers inadvertently used the Modern vaccine sent to them in the form of second doses, as first doses,” said Beam.
They are now struggling to obtain additional vaccine and use excess stock, with the first priority going to between 30,000 to 60,000 people scheduled to receive a second dose of Moderna.
This should happen in 28 days, but it can be extended to 42 days.
“By extending the time between doses, while remaining within the guidelines of the CDC, we can minimize any interruption in vaccination of the first dose,” said Beam.
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Unidentified providers, which include an increasing number of pharmacies that made the mistake, will reschedule.
“I can assure you, with 100% certainty, that our team was meticulous in keeping the first and second doses separate,” said Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, President of the Montgomery County Commissioners Council.
Even though Montgomery County did not confuse the doses, Arkoosh says they will have to reconcile the appointments because of the allocation error.
“I was surprised, furious and disappointed,” she said.
State officials blame the limited vaccine, but the acting health secretary admitted that suppliers’ supervision is lacking.
“Communications will also be improved throughout our path so that we can prevent this from progressing,” said Beam.
Many criticized the state for not having a centralized vaccine system and distribution is largely left to suppliers.
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Montgomery County says it will close or change the schedule of its mass vaccine clinics because of the weather and the allocation error.