In a surprising turn of events, shoppers in D.C. are finding themselves unexpectedly vaccinated against COVID-19 thanks to pharmacists with extra vaccine doses approaching expiration. This innovative approach is encouraging many to linger a little longer in grocery stores, hoping for a chance at a vaccination.
One of the fortunate recipients, a shopper named Alex Turner, shared his experience with NBC Washington: “The pharmacist approached us and said, ‘I have two doses of the vaccine that I will have to discard unless someone takes them. We’re closing in 10 minutes. Would you like a Moderna shot?’”
Because the Moderna vaccine must be maintained at a chilly 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, it must be used within 12 hours after reaching room temperature. If not utilized in that timeframe, it becomes ineffective.
“Clearly, the pharmacist is the real hero here,” Turner remarked. “She had a limited window and wanted to ensure as many people as possible could get vaccinated. Hats off to her!”
Turner wasn’t alone in receiving his first dose. His friend also got vaccinated, and a local resident, Jamie Lee, was shopping at a nearby grocery store when she learned that a pharmacist had several spare doses available. After a quick call to her husband, who rushed to the store, both received the vaccine.
“I grabbed my coat and ran over,” Lee said, reflecting on her dash to the store.
In Arlington, VA, Mark Johnson was inspired by reports from Israel, where leftover vaccines were administered to individuals nearby, like Uber drivers or food delivery personnel. “I started noticing that in D.C., pharmacists were doing something similar,” Johnson explained. He called a local grocery store, showed up at 2 p.m., and successfully secured his vaccination.
Word of this opportunity spread rapidly, filling up waiting lists at pharmacies across D.C. “The DC Department of Health has communicated to Giant that if the Moderna vaccine doses are on the verge of expiring, they should be given to anyone willing to take them,” stated a spokesperson for Giant Food. “The Moderna vaccine is precious and life-saving, and we prefer to see it utilized rather than wasted.”
As of now, over 5.9 million people in the U.S. have received a COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 21.4 million doses distributed to states and agencies. The initial recipients primarily include healthcare workers and nursing home residents.
For the latest updates on COVID-19, we encourage readers to consult resources from local public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization to stay informed.
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Summary:
D.C. pharmacists are creatively addressing leftover COVID-19 vaccine doses by offering them to grocery shoppers before they expire. This initiative has led to unexpected vaccinations for many fortunate individuals, showcasing the efforts to minimize waste and maximize health.