Walgreens distributed a surplus of its nearly expired COVID-19 vaccine to the general public, WESH 2 reported.
Julie Dryden and her husband rushed to a Walgreens in Louisville, Kentucky, after receiving a message from their friend on Christmas Eve, stating that the pharmacy was offering about 12 doses of the vaccine to customers, WESH 2 reported.
At the risk of expiring, this pharmacy gave its surplus of the COVID-19 vaccine to the general public https://t.co/rme3rMjbQ4
– WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore (@ wbaltv11) December 29, 2020
“I’ve been playing since June, like, all I want for Christmas is a COVID vaccine,” she said, WESH 2 reported. “Having immunodeficiency associated with lung disease, and as this is a respiratory virus, I am at a super high risk of any type of exposure.”
Because local Walgreens ordered a surplus of Pfizer’s vaccines, which can only be refrigerated for five days before expiring, they have relocated the rest to local first responders, pharmacy workers and residents, according to WESH 2.
“These measures were taken to ensure that each dose of a limited supply of vaccine was used to protect patients and communities,” said Phil Caruso, a spokesman for Walgreens, by email, according to the Courier-Journal. (RELATED: WHO Chief Scientist says it is not clear whether the vaccine will prevent the spread of Covid19)
Although the vaccine distribution plan prioritizes healthcare professionals, the elderly and the first respondents, Dryden said he was grateful to have received the vaccine through this crack in the system, WESH 2 reported.
“My nephew is 21 and if he was at Walgreens and he did it, I would be very excited, because this is another protected person who will protect other people from catching him,” said Dryden.