PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Wednesday awarded a huge bug to vaccines that could affect more than 100,000 vaccination appointments. The bug only affects the Moderna vaccine.
According to the health department, suppliers mixed 200,000 first and second doses. The state is now trying to find replacement vaccine and reschedule appointments.
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“We’re not here to put the blame,” said Alison Beam, Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary.
The acting health secretary declined to name the vaccine providers who made the mistake, but called it a perfect storm that led to the misuse of 200,000 doses of Moderna vaccine.
“We have discovered that some suppliers accidentally use the Moderna vaccine that was sent to them by accident, intended as second doses, as first doses,” Beam said.
They are now scrambling to get additional vaccine and use excess stock, with the first priority being between 30,000 and 60,000 people who need to get a second dose of Moderna.
It is supposed to happen within 28 days, but can be stretched to 42 days.
“By extending the time between doses while staying within CDC guidelines, we can reduce any disruption of vaccination at the first dose,” Beam said.
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The anonymous providers, which include a growing number of pharmacies that have made the mistake, will do the rescheduling.
“I can assure you with 100% certainty that our team was diligent in keeping the first and second doses separate,” said Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, chairwoman of the board of commissioners in Montgomery, said.
Although Montgomery County did not take the doses, Arkoosh says they will have to juggle appointments due to the allocation error.
“I was surprised, furious and disappointed,” she said.
Government officials blame the limited vaccine, but the acting health secretary admitted that supervision of providers was lacking.
“Communication will also be improved throughout our way forward so that we can prevent it from moving forward,” Beam said.
Many have criticized the state for not having a central vaccine system, and distribution is basically left to the suppliers.
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Montgomery County says it will close or change hours for its mass vaccine clinics due to the weather and the allocation error.