Why are we wasting precious vaccines?
MY HUSBAND, who is 75 years old, was given his fourth vaccination. I am over 70 years old and asked if there was a vaccination left at the end of the day, could I have this? I was happy to wait until 6pm closing time. I was told by three different people that this was not allowed. The extra vaccine would be thrown away. I said this should not happen. They then said not many were left at the end of the day, but of course there were times when the vaccine was wasted. I had my third vaccination the same day and time as my husband.
Can Public Health please explain why this is so? Why are we wasting precious vaccines?
NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD
Editor’s footnote: A spokewoman for Public Health responds: The Covid-19 Vaccination Programme continues to follow the advice issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
The JCVI advice for the spring booster programme (fourth vaccination for those who have already received two primary doses plus a first booster) is as follows:
The spring booster should only be offered to those aged 75 and over and those who are classed as immunosuppressed (as per the Green Book Chapter 14a) 1.
Vaccination staff are not covered to vaccinate outside of the JCVI guidance as the Patient Group Directives and Protocols that the vaccines are administered under only cover those who are part of the programme.