Dr. Gayles on Unused Vaccinations: ‘We’re Not Tossing Doses in the Trash Can’

Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles wanted to “clarify and emphasize” to those with questions that all the allotted COVID-19 vaccine doses at the County’s disposal are ultimately used.

“We’re not tossing doses in the trash can at the end of the day. We’re repurposing them in our future clinics,” said Dr. Gayles during the county’s weekly virtual media briefing on Feb. 11.

The Moderna vaccine is most commonly utilized at county-run vaccination sites, and health officials say they have a longer shelf life than the Phizer vaccine. Dr. Gayles says Montgomery County takes extra precautions to ensure all the vaccines are stored properly and are kept at the appropriate temperature to prevent doses from going to waste.

MyMCM tuned into the briefing to learn more about how the county utilizes all vaccine doses in light of their shelf life.

 

As of Feb.16, a total of 107,589 or 10.2 % of Montgomery County residents have received their first vaccine dose. So far, 34,022 or 3.2% of county residents are fully vaccinated, according to the county’s website.

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