The federal government has not publicly announced the guidance; Pfizer learned of the change this afternoon.
Pfizer vials contain five doses, but pharmacists have found that they are sufficient for the sixth or seventh dose. Using it could significantly increase early United States early supply, reducing the likelihood of a “vaccine rock” this spring as a supply of demand space.
Manufacturers often overfill vaccine vials to protect against spills and other debris, says Erin Fox, a pharmacy specialist at the University of Utah in Utah, who monitors drug shortages. “It’s pretty unusual to have a whole extra dose or more – but it seems there!” He said in an email.
But many pharmacists, confused without federal clarification, have thrown out hundreds of extra doses since vaccinations began on Monday. In Utah, Fox said, pharmacists are advised to stick to the FDA’s emergency consumption guidelines, which indicate there are five doses.
As pharmacists quickly focused on additional supplies nationwide, Pfizer reached out on its own.
Pfizer spokeswoman Sharon Castillo told Politico that the amount of vaccine remaining in the multidose vial may vary after 5 doses are removed. “At this time, we cannot make any recommendations for using the remaining amount of vaccine from each vial. Vaccinators need to consult their organization’s policies for the use of multidose vials.”
Both Pfizer and the FDA said that due to the risk of contamination, the remaining vaccine from multiple vials should not be mixed.
Andy Slavit, the former CMS chief of the Obama administration, tweeted Tuesday about the potential vaccine waste and insisted that Pfizer is now submitting paperwork to allow pharmacists to use additional doses if available.
“I think these are smarter pharmacists than something Pfizer missed,” he told Politico.
Castillo said Pfizer is continuing to “coordinate closely with the FDA on this matter.”
The possibility of a higher dose in the existing Pfizer supply has come under pressure from the US government, after passing more buy options this fall, the company will provide additional shots early next year. H.H.S. Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday that the administration is in talks with Pfizer for more than the 100 million doses originally promised, but Pfizer CEO Albert Borla said the company would not be able to provide those shots until this summer.
Rachel contributed to Raubin.
