Alberta health officials say 0.3 per cent of COVID vaccines considered wasted

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Alberta health officials are pushing back against rumours that COVID-19 vaccines are being wasted.

On Monday, an Edmonton-area doctor sent out a tweet saying unused doses of the vaccine are being discarded at the end of the day and that Alberta Health has directed staff to waste the vaccine rather than give it to people not in Phase 1A of the rollout.

AHS is rapidly immunizing as many Albertans as quickly as possible, ensuring vaccine doses are utilized. There have been no reports of significant vaccine wastage.

— Alberta Health Services (@AHS_media) January 5, 2021

In a statement, AHS said this is not happening and that there have been no reports of significant vaccine wastage.

The statement added that if anyone misses their appointment, the vaccine is given to the next person in line, and any unused doses will be given to eligible people within the next few days.

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Health Minister Tyler Shandro issued a joint statement Tuesday responding to the rumours, saying AHS was asked to devise a strategy to ensure the risk of vaccine wastage was minimized.

To date, only 86 doses or roughly 0.3 per cent of vaccines have been considered wasted.

“Doses are thawed and prepared according to pre-scheduled appointments, and appointments are overbooked to ensure that enough health-care workers are always in line,” the statement reads.

“If a scenario arises where staff have no booked appointments left but there are thawed doses available, those administering the vaccines are able to vaccinate each other. The vaccine cannot be re-frozen or put in a fridge.”

Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Dr. Deena Hinshaw have issued a joint statement in response to allegations COVID-19 vaccines are being wasted/unused. pic.twitter.com/9cp2OIrgWb

— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) January 5, 2021

Hinshaw and Shandro admit that some wastage of the vaccine will occur adding that large-scale immunization programs can result in small amounts of vaccine being lost when drawing doses or if a vial is dropped or spilled.

“While this is upsetting, it is unavoidable. It is also extremely limited thanks to the processes in place.

According to Alberta Health, 22,861 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

The province is currently in Phase 1A of its vaccine rollout meaning the shots are being given to various health care workers including respiratory therapists, home care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

The next phase of the vaccine plan is scheduled to begin next month and will be offered to those over the age of 75 and those living in First Nations and Metis communities.