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Thousands of people who expect to receive their second dose of the covid-19 vaccine as early as next week learned on Friday that the Allegheny County Health Department does not have enough supplies for most of the ‘between them.
The health department waits at be power at give the second dose of the Modern vaccine at alone 1,400 people on Monday and Tuesday, and has no plans to schedule further vaccine appointments until more shipments arrive.
This leaves 4,800 people – including 1,700 health and frontline workers – eligible at get their second dose of the county health department who can’t get one yet, according to figures provided by county spokeswoman Amie Downs. The county says those awaiting a second shot have received email updates.
County health officials blamed the delay on severe winter storms that impacted deliveries and other ongoing supply issues – including the non-receipt of scheduled vaccine shipments.
“The vaccine supply in Pennsylvania is facing two challenges right now: a series of bad weather delaying shipping and a shortage of second doses,” the county health director said Friday afternoon. Allegheny, Debra Bogen in a statement. “ACHD’s priorities during this period are to create as little disruption as possible for those who need to receive their second doses and to fully immunize those 65 years of age and older, who are most at risk of serious illness. or death from covid-19. ”
The Allegheny County Health Department has received confirmation that a vaccine shipment is on its way on Friday, and then the shipment is typically delivered the following Tuesday or Wednesday. As of Friday evening, the ministry had not received any such notification, nor had it received a shipment due to arrive earlier this week.
When the next shipment arrives, “we’re expecting 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 the first or second dose is only for supply chain management,” the county said in a press release.
Public health officials say that appointing and receiving the right amounts of vaccine to apply at the first or second dose is a constant balancing act, with providers often receiving less supplies than they need. ask.
State health officials had warned on Wednesday that vaccine suppliers in Pennsylvania could run out of the first 55,000 doses of Moderna’s covid-19 vaccine in the coming weeks, after some suppliers “inadvertently used the vaccine. Moderna vaccine that had been shipped to them as second doses as first doses.
Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam has raised concerns that some providers have estimated 30,000 to 60,000 appointments for the second dose may be postponed by one to two weeks.
Vaccine suppliers statewide had requested approximately 200,000 second dose Moderna vaccines.
Still in the 42 day window
Despite the need to reschedule appointments, county officials said second doses should still be made available to anyone expecting them within 42 days of their first doses, per guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. and Prevention.
Pittsburgh-based infectious disease expert Dr Amesh Adalja told the Trib earlier this week that there was leeway in the deadline to get a second dose.
“I think getting the first doses into people is essential,” Adalja said, adding that delaying the second round for a few weeks is unlikely to be “a major problem.”
Due to the shortage, people due to receive their second dose of the county health department’s covid-19 vaccine between Wednesday and next Saturday, February 27, are not yet able to make an appointment for receive them.
These people will receive emails with links to make appointments at clinics in Monroeville County or Castle Shannon “once the vaccine supply is confirmed,” county officials said.
The county health department is also postponing appointments to other distribution points for about 1,700 other Phase 1A health and frontline staff.
No plans for new registrations
There are no plans to make any new registrations available next week for those still trying to get the first doses. The ministry says it continues to make appointments “depending on the limited supply of vaccines it has.”
“That may change pending receipt of supply or additional advice from the state,” county officials said. “At this time, no first dose clinics with a vaccine administered or provided by ACHD will be scheduled for next week.”
The county is moving forward with around 1,400 second dose appointments on Monday and Tuesday, which include people who received their first dose at the Monroeville vaccination clinic on January 25 and 26.
Those due to receive a second dose from the county health department on Monday or Tuesday and have not received a registration link via email should call 2-1-1 to book an appointment. by telephone.
Nationwide, in early February, 96% of people who received a covid-19 vaccine received their second dose within three to four weeks, according to CDC data.
Natasha Lindstrom is a writer for Tribune-Review. You can contact Natasha at 412-380-8514, [email protected] or via Twitter .
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