“As the Department of Health continues to review and improve the complex processes required to obtain COVID-19 vaccine from manufacturers in the Pennsylvania arms, we have discovered that some suppliers have accidentally administered the Moderna vaccine. was sent to them, intended as second doses as first doses, “said Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam.” We are taking immediate steps to rectify the situation and are committed to ensuring that second doses are available. . “
About 30,000 to 60,000 first doses may not be delivered on time to suppliers and 30,000 to 60,000 second doses may need to be delayed by at least two weeks, officials said.
To solve the problem, the Department of Health considered several options, including suspending the first doses and instead using them for already scheduled second doses. However, they have chosen another option that they think will be less influential, especially since many are having trouble registering for a first date.
“After careful review and discussion with lawmakers about the COVID-19 vaccine for vaccination by Governor Tom Wolf, we have a clear path ahead that could include adjusting the timing of administration of the second dose according to CDC guidelines that the “The minimum time between doses is 21 and 28 days and the maximum time is 42 days,” said Beam.
In a press call late in the afternoon, COVID Secretary of State Barry Ciccocioppo of the Pennsylvania Department of Health said it was this past weekend that the Department of Health discovered that they did not have enough supplies. The unidentified suppliers have been making the mistake since January. He explained that some providers may not be affected because they have enough doses on hand.
Health officials have been asking for weeks that suppliers not have to administer to administer second doses, ensuring that a second dose is available from a separate inventory.
Vaccination providers receive two separate doses of delivery of the two-shot Moderna vaccine after placing an order with the Department of Health. Suppliers then receive the doses directly from the manufacturers. The Department of Health did not realize that the delivery of the first dose and the second dose were not clearly marked. As a result, many suppliers did not discern the difference.
The Department of Health does have a list of providers that are affected in their system and is going through the list.
Suppliers are expected to contact people scheduled for their second dose if they do not have enough stock.
“The department is working with vaccine suppliers throughout this vaccine and will, in line with the vaccine order I signed last week, be able to provide more precise information each week on the allocation of vaccines to increase transparency and predictability with the first doses,” Beam said. said. .
This week, Pennsylvania received 200,000 Moderna requests for the second dose, which is almost the amount of the state’s weekly grant of Moderna first and second doses. There is no medical difference between the first and second dose.
Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said Wednesday it will affect the province. At least one vaccine was partially closed due to the deficiency.
She added that her office did everything properly.
“I can assure you with 100% certainty that our team was meticulous in keeping the first and second doses separate,” Arkoosh said. “The second doses were all given appropriately, but I can not speak to any other provider in the country.”
To date, Pennsylvania has vaccinated 1.7 million people, with half a million receiving both doses.
Copyright © 2021 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.