COVID-19 vaccines deliver from their manufactures in deep-frozen state, and may last in that condition for six months. However, they number their days after moving to lower levels of refrigeration / freezing, according to KGW8.Com News in Portland, Oregon. We had been wondering where the unused COVID-19 vaccines go, and were pleased to find some possibilities we share here.
Why Does It Matter Where Unused COVID-19 Vaccines Go?
The vaccines are in short supply in developing countries. However, some wealthy nations could have more than they need. This may be partly due to teething problems in their vaccine supply chains. However, there is also uncertainly regarding their safety in various quarters.
Take the U.S. state of Oregon for example, KGW8.Com News channel says. Officials there received 187,000 doses by December 30, 2020, but over 75% of them are still unused.
We understand Centers for Disease Control believes many other U.S. states are ‘in the same boat’. While several European countries have stopped using certain brands completely.
Could the Solution Be to Sell Them On to Others?
We can’t expect the manufacturers to take stock back with dwindling use-by-dates. American drug stores don’t allow medication returns, so why should they?
The Czech Republic has offered to purchase all Denmark’s unwanted AstraZeneca vaccines. While South Africa sold one million of its stock to 14 African nations.
There’s no indication what will happen to the unused COVID-19 vaccines as they approach their use by dates. It would be a sad to see them ‘go down the sink’ after all that effort.
Perhaps the COVAX scheme will be able to facilitate donations to nations unable to afford them. COVAX is an international initiative that aims to ensure vaccines share fairly among all people both rich and poor.
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Preview Image: U.S. COVID Vaccine Received
