Minnesota expects 95K Moderna vaccine doses in first batch, after second Pfizer shipment decreased
Dec 18, 2020 04:11PM ● By Editor
Minnesota health officials say their week two allotment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines is going to be smaller than expected, but they're expecting a larger number of Moderna doses if it's approved.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed Friday that the state's week two allotment of Pfizer vaccine will be 33,000. That's significantly smaller than the 58,000 MDH was originally told Minnesota would receive.
Schultz said the week one allotment promised to Minnesota was 46,800 and from the latest reports, this is still on track.
These numbers could evolve, Schultz said.
“Pfizer has said the lesser amounts are due to manufacturing fluctuations,” said MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann during a media briefing call on Friday.
Ehresmann said 947 health care workers have been vaccinated in Minnesota.
"Unfortunately, there is still a very small amount of Pfizer vaccine that is available,” she said. "We have more demand than we have supply.”
According to NBC News reports, if the FDA gave emergency use authorization to the Moderna vaccine on Friday, 6 million doses would ship on Monday.
Ehresmann said she expects an announcement from the FDA on the Moderna vaccine soon. She said she believes it could begin shipping next week.
Ehresmann said Minnesota officials have been told it will receive 94,900 doses of Moderna in the first shipment. She also said receipt of the first shipment of Pfizer should be completed by the end of the day Friday.
MDH is adding a new webpage to its site showing the latest vaccine numbers it’s getting from the federal government.
Ehresmann said Minnesota will get more shipments of both Pfizer and Moderna in the coming days.
“We’ll continue doing our best to strike that balance between hope and patience,” Ehresmann said.
She also said MDH is aware that there is extra Pfizer vaccine in each vial after the five prescribed doses have been used. The FDA has indicated that it is advising that it is acceptable to use every full dose obtainable, Ehresmann said, but until there is a written policy, providers should rely on their own internal guidance and protocols.
To see the original story and read related reporting, follow this link to the KARE 11 News website. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/minnesota-pfizer-vaccine-second-week-allotmen...
Watch a KARE 11 Report here
