UNC Health said in an internal e-mail obtained by Eyewitness News that they had purchased 725 COVID-19 vaccines – originally intended for the Orange County Health Department – on Thursday night that “should” be used until Monday morning.
It is not clear why the health department handed them over to UNC.
RELATED: 42 people accidentally received antibody treatment instead of COVID-19 vaccine
When sent by e-mail, the Orange County Health Department sent the same e-mail sent to ABC11 by UNC Health, which reads:
“UNC Health was notified that Orange County had a number of vaccine ampoules available for immediate use.
UNC Health has worked closely with Orange County to ensure that all vaccines are used with zero waste and that all of these photographs will go either to Phase 1-A staff or to staff working with patients with COVID-19. a certain quality.
This cooperation was a success and all available stocks were used properly. “
UNC has set additional times this weekend to get as many Phase 1-A staff (health workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents) vaccinated as of 7 a.m.: 00 and 19:00 Saturday and Sunday.
State health officials called for time in the complex launch process: some hospitals received vaccine shipments just two weeks ago, and local health departments received theirs last week.
In the last week, Orange County Health was to receive 975 doses of Pfizer vaccine.
These are the same health departments and the same tense hospitals with the largest number of COVID patients they have seen during this pandemic, and we appreciate everyone’s patience, said Secretary of Health Dr. Mandy Cohen.
ABC News reported this week that the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine is moving slower than expected this month, raising fears that the federal government has mismanaged the effort and will have to wait more months than expected to get the shot.
Public health officials have warned that the biggest test will come in 2021, when the inventory finally expands and the general public raises its hands for a blow.
Copyright © 2021 WTVD-TV. All rights reserved.