SUNRAYSIA Community Health Services (SCHS) has refuted rumours dozens of Pfizer vaccine doses had to be thrown out after people failed to turn up for vaccination appointments last weekend.
SCHS clinic programs manager Shelley Faulks told Sunraysia Daily staff had made “every effort” to fill vaccine appointments by calling people on the waiting list to fill “no-show” appointments to ensure no Pfizer vaccines were disposed of on Saturday.
“The Pfizer vaccine has a 30-day shelf life after it has been thawed,” she said.
“As it arrives in Mildura already thawed, we ensure all doses are distributed to our community in that timeframe.
“Generally, if there are appointments not attended, the vaccine would not be drawn up and it would be returned to our vaccination storage fridge for use at our next clinic.
“As the vaccine administered last weekend was due to expire on the Monday, our team worked very hard calling people to ensure all vaccine was used.”
Pfizer vaccines come in six-dose vials, meaning clinics must have multiples of six appointments, including covering no-show bookings, in order not to waste any doses.
“We don’t go home until it’s used,” Ms Faulks said.
According to SCHS, missed appointments have not been an issue and attendance for second doses had been “good”, but it was not uncommon for people to be unable to attend their scheduled appointment.
Sunraysia Daily understands SCHS has not been sending reminder texts or emails to most patients before their vaccination appointments. Patients are encouraged to create their own reminder to ensure they remember to attend.
The health service also asks anyone who cannot attend at their booked time to get in touch as soon as possible by emailing covid@schs.com.au to rebook.
Related: SCHS Pfizer supply dries up
