The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) issued a directive requiring vaccine providers to develop a surplus vaccine redistribution plan. The directive follows a recent incident in which a long-term care facility in Ohio overestimated the number of vaccine doses needed for residents and staff. Seven vials of vaccine (35 doses) were not administered and expired.
“Every vaccine dose that Ohio receives must be administered,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Each vaccine represents a potential life saved, and it is our obligation to ensure that not a single dose is wasted.”
In order to mitigate the risk of wasting COVID-19 vaccine, providers should attempt to verify the number of vaccine recipients immediately prior to each scheduled clinic.
To prevent vaccine wastage in the event that vaccine providers have excess vaccines upon completion of a vaccination clinic and those vaccines are set to expire, it is critically important that providers have a plan in place to immediately identify and administer vaccine to backup recipients. Many providers have implemented waiting lists of eligible individuals for such circumstances.
- Identify Phase 1A eligible individuals to administer the vaccine to (healthcare providers, EMS personnel, or congregate care residents/staff).
- Identify Phase 1B eligible individuals to administer the vaccine to (individuals age 65+, people with severe congenital, developmental, or early onset medical disorders that make them particularly vulnerable, and teachers/staff in K–12 schools that plan to return to in-person classes in March).
- Identify otherwise eligible adults not included in Phases 1A or 1B to administer the vaccine to (e.g., priority to adults with underlying medical conditions before adults with no underlying medical conditions).
- If more than 20 doses are at risk of wastage, please call the ODH Provider Call Center at the number below to discuss options including, but not limited to, transfer of vaccine to other enrolled providers.
- The vaccine administration must be reported in ImpactSIIS, including race and ethnicity data, within 24 hours.
- Target population/occupation data does not need to be reported for vaccinated individuals not in Phase 1A.
- Be sure to include these vaccinated individuals in your follow-up plans for administering second doses.
If you have any questions or issues, please call the ODH Provider Call Center between 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 1.844.9ODHVAX (1.844.963.4829) or email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov. You also may visit the ODH COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Information Training page for additional information and resources.