As COVID-19 first dose vaccination heads north of 90% across the North Coast and rates begin to plateau, providers should be aware of how to deal with excess stock.
Locally, Healthy North Coast’s Primary Health Coordinators have been working to assist practices with too many or too few vaccine doses, transferring stock wherever possible.
The Australian Government Department of Health advises that disposal of stock is a last resort. The department recommends that before stock expires, providers consider options including:
- maintaining a reserve/cancellation list of patients
- vaccinating walk-in patients
- contacting Healthy North Coast for assistance in transferring stock
- speaking with the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) when excess doses cannot be relocated locally.
When assessing the suitability of stock, the VOC can only accept 20 vials or more of AstraZeneca or 10 vials or more of Pfizer vaccines. The VOC is open from 7am to 10pm (AEDT), phone 1800 318 208 and press option #3, or email [email protected] for assistance.
If doses have expired, providers should refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Training, which gives details on how to dispose of vaccines. Wastage must be reported through the COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System.