What happens to leftover COVID-19 vaccine doses?

We all know how precious those tiny little vials of COVID-19 vaccine are. Many are still waiting for their turn to get the shot. 

News Channel 3’s Dani Romero answers the question about what happens to leftover vaccine doses so they aren’t misused? 

At a time where there aren’t enough shots to meet the demand, tracking each and every vial of the COVID vaccine is essential. 

“You get this feeling that you are holding liquid gold," said Lindsey Valenzuela, Associate Vice President of Population Health Integration at Desert Oasis Healthcare.

Desert Oasis Healthcare isn’t letting any COVID vaccine go to waste. They have started a rapid on-call list for unused doses at the end of  each day. 

“When you are getting to that 3:30 to 4 o'clock hour, you do need people who are close to whichever campus you're operating at," said Valenzuela. "In Indio, we're looking for people who are close to the East Valley and in Palm Springs we are looking at the west valley.” 

The opportunity is open to their patients under current county vaccination guidelines. 

But for many it will be a luck of the draw depending on the day. 

“We might have extra doses because we have gotten a seventh dose that we didn't expect, or somebody knows shows at the very end of the day," said Valenzuela.

At Eisenhower Health a spokesperson tells us they have had less than 30 minutes to find people to vaccinate. They have called RSO, EMS providers, patients 65 and older to drive over on short notice. This can occur multiple times a day since the vaccine is thawed in batches of a six hour window. 

“It's really rare that at our county clinics where we have any leftover doses at the end of the day," said Brooke Federico, Public Information Officer for Riverside County.

But with limited vaccines, Riverside County is making sure every single dose is put to use. 

“We look to sure how many people are currently scheduled throughout the day," said Federico. "We are strictly following the requirements on removing the vials of vaccine from storage and breaking seals in accordance with the number of hours we have to use that vaccine.” 

For more information Desert Oasis Healthcare vaccines, click here.