Thousands of people expecting to get their second dose of covid-19 vaccine as soon as it learns Friday next week, the Allegheny County Department of Health does not have enough supplies for most.
The health department expect on be capable on give the second dosage of the Modern vaccine on only 1 400 people on Monday and Tuesday, and have no plans to schedule another vaccination appointment before more shipments arrive.
That leaves 4 800 people – including 1 700 healthcare and frontline workers – are eligible on get their second dosage of the province health department who can not get one yet, according to figures provided by Amie Downs, spokeswoman for the county. According to the province, those waiting for second shots have received email notifications.
Official health officials blamed the delay in severe winter storms affecting delivery and other ongoing stock problems, including receiving non-vaccine shipments.
“The supply of vaccine in Pennsylvania is currently facing two challenges: a series of bad weather that is delaying shipping and a shortage of second doses,” Debra Bogen, director of health in Allegheny County, said in a statement Friday afternoon. statement said. “The priority of the ACHD during this period is to create as little disruption as possible for those due to their second doses and to those aged 65 and over who are at greatest risk for serious illness or death due to covid-19 , to be completely vaccinated. ”
The Allegheny County Department of Health has confirmed that a vaccine shipment is on its way on Friday, then the shipment will usually be delivered the following Tuesday or Wednesday. As of Friday night, the department had not yet received any such notice nor a shipment that would arrive earlier this week.
When the next shipment is delivered, “We expect 2,400 second-dose vaccines and 4,600 first-dose vaccines,” Downs said. The contents of the first and second doses are “identical”, so “the reference to first or second doses only relates to the supply chain management”, the country said in a news release.
Public health officials say that prescribing and receiving the appropriate amounts of vaccines for first or second doses is a continuous balance, and that suppliers often receive less stock than they request.
State health officials warned on Wednesday that Pennsylvania vaccine suppliers could be short of 55,000 first doses of Moderna’s kovid-19 vaccine in the coming weeks, after some suppliers accidentally sent the Moderna vaccine to them, intended to use second doses as first doses. . ”
Acting Health Minister Alison Beam has expressed concern that some providers estimate that 30 to 60,000 two-dose appointments could be pushed back one to two weeks.
In total, vaccine suppliers have requested about 200,000 Modern vaccines.
Still within the 42 day window
Despite the need to postpone appointments, provincial officials said the second doses should be available to all who expect them within 42 days of their first doses, in line with the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, an expert in infectious diseases in Pittsburgh, told the Trib earlier this week that a second dose could be wrapped up within the time frame.
“I think it’s critical to get first doses in people,” Adalja said, adding that spreading second admission by a few weeks is not likely to be a major issue.
Due to the shortage, people who received their second doses of the covid-19 vaccine between Wednesday and next Saturday 27 February have not yet been able to make appointments to receive it.
The people will receive emails with links to make appointments at the province’s Monroeville or Castle Shannon clinics ‘once the vaccine supply is confirmed’, provincial officials said.
The province’s health department also plans to schedule appointments at other distribution points for approximately 1,700 other Phase 1A healthcare and frontline staff.
No plans for new sign-ups
There are no plans to make new applications available next week for those still trying to get first doses. The department says it continues to plan appointments “based on the limited amount of vaccine it has available.”
“This may change depending on the receipt of the offer or additional guidance from the state,” officials said. “At present, there are no next dose clinics with the vaccine administered or supplied by the ACHD.”
The province continues with about 1,400 appointments for second doses Monday and Tuesday, including people who received their first dose at the Monroeville Vaccination Clinic on January 25 and 26.
Those who need to provide a second dose from the district health department on Monday or Tuesday and who have not received a registration link by email should call 2-1-1 to register by phone for an appointment.
As of early February, 96% of people who received a covid-19 vaccine received their second dose within three to four weeks, CDC data show.
Natasha Lindstrom is an author of Tribune Review. You can contact Natasha at 412-380-8514, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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