THE Covid-19 vaccine is currently being given out to those most vulnerable, with the elderly and health workers first in line.

However, there are occasions when leftover doses are being given to those not listed in the first wave of priority groups as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Why are there leftover doses?

Doses of the vaccine can be left over when a patient does not turn up for their appointment to receive the jab.

Those administering the life-saving vaccine have a choice – either throw it away or find someone else to have it.

This is particularly relevant for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which needs to be used within five days of it being thawed.

The Evening Standard reported that some GPs were being forced to throw away leftover vaccines rather than give patients a second dose or use them on staff.

What should happen to leftover vaccine?

The British Medical Association (BMA) says that when there is “surplus vaccine supply”, the “overriding principle will be to avoid wastage”.

In this instance, it advises that the leftover vaccines be administered to wider frontline healthcare workers.

It had received reports of some CCGs throwing away vaccines and reiterated “vaccines should not be wasted”.

It advises vaccination centres to have a reserve list that can be used to invite patients or healthcare workers to receive a dose at the last minute but added: “If necessary remaining doses could be given outside the current cohorts if there is no other person available”.

Why have some people not on the priority list received the vaccine?

The BMA’s policy on not wasting any vaccine has led to some people receiving a dose who are not in a priority group but who were simply in the right place at the right time.

Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith was one of those and was forced to defend himself after being accused of having the vaccine ahead of those who need it most.

The MP for Bassetlaw posted a photo on Facebook receiving the vaccine after volunteering at a hospital, but said it was a leftover dose which would otherwise have been thrown away.

There has also been confusion around those who work in special schools.

Schools Week reported that in 65 local authorities across England, special school workers were included in the vaccine roll-out.

It reported that some have been included in the health and social care priority groups, while other areas were using up leftover supplies to give to special school workers.

A Public Health England spokesperson said that some staff in schools for clinically vulnerable children would “fit the criteria” of frontline care.

In other areas, vaccine centres could face an investigation after allegedly offering leftover jabs to friends and family to avoid wastage.

An NHS source told The Telegraph it will investigate if people outside the priority group have received the vaccine.

What is happening in other countries?

In some places, people have been queuing up for spare doses. In Los Angeles people have been camping out for hours with the hope of having the jab.

 

 

While in Oregon, health workers administered the vaccine which was about to expire to stranded drivers stuck in snow.

What is happening with spare doses in Basingstoke?

Unfortunately, camping outside the Hampshire Court Hotel is unlikely to prove successful in receiving the jab.

West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group said the NHS is prioritising the most at-risk of Covid as set out by the JCVI with the aim of offering everyone in these groups a vaccination by the middle of February.

Basingstoke GP, Dr Tim Cooper, told us: “We have a robust booking service for vaccinations and have very few doses of vaccine left over. All leftover vaccine is used to invite a short call list of patients from the top priority groups, which can include both health and care professionals and patients.

“These lists are collected and collated from all practices in North Hampshire and used for our central bookings process. We would ask all patients to be patient and wait for the time when we contact you.”