What to do with the vaccine left over due to cancellation etc.? Local governments that squeeze wisdom

While the new coronavirus is being vaccinated, local governments are focusing their wisdom on measures to prevent the disposal of surplus vaccines due to sudden cancellation of reservations.

The new coronavirus vaccine is stored in a dedicated freezer and must be used up as soon as it is opened.

In Meguro-ku, Tokyo, where vaccinations are given to elderly people aged 75 and over from the 6th at 13 venues, the first vaccination was completed for about 6000 people, which is 10% of the total, but it was sudden. It means that about 20 doses of vaccine have been left over so far due to cancellation of reservations.

The surplus vaccine was given to medical professionals with vaccination tickets such as doctors and nurses, but the issue is what to do if the vaccination becomes full-scale and there is a surplus at night.

For this reason, Meguro Ward does not have an inoculation ticket, but is considering sending it to the staff of about 130 private companies who will guide at the venue.

Takehiro Yoshida, chief of the new corona vaccination section, said, "I think that the vaccination site is in almost the same environment as the medical field, and the staff should also be vaccinated. The national policy is not clear, and there are some difficult aspects in operation. However, I would like to respond flexibly and work toward the effective use of vaccines. "

Also, in Hachioji City, where vaccination of the elderly began earliest in Tokyo, if there are too many vaccines and no one else has a vaccination ticket, the staff at the reception desk at the venue should be vaccinated. I am doing it.

The operation was reviewed because the vaccination was canceled on the 12th of last month and the two vaccines were to be discarded.

On the other hand, in Nerima Ward, where mass vaccination will start on the 22nd of this month, if there is a surplus of vaccine, we will contact the elderly who have made reservations the next day or later to get the vaccination, and we will also target people who come with us. I am.

In addition, in order to prevent the disposal of vaccines, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, has decided to preferentially inoculate the surplus vaccines to the faculty members and nursery teachers of elementary and junior high schools in the city registered in advance. Unique efforts are underway.

For effective utilization ...

What is needed to use the vaccine effectively without discarding it?

Professor Akihiko Saito of the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University said, "Amid the urgent need for vaccination, there must be no waste in order for the vaccine to reach as many people as possible. In addition to priority vaccination for the elderly. In preparation for a large amount of vaccines coming in, the local government will list not only medical workers but also high-priority people such as essential workers who support society and livelihoods, and establish a system to contact them. It is important to keep in mind. As the national government entrusts the judgment to the local governments, each local government needs to devise its own ideas. "

On top of that, "In order to ensure smooth vaccination, it may be an option to pass the surplus vaccine to the heads and staff of local governments. However, there is a risk that it may be perceived as giving priority to relatives, so each local government should explain properly. I have to go. "

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare "Make decisions for each local government in a way that can be explained to residents"

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has indicated to local governments the scope of priority vaccination for the new coronavirus vaccine.

In this, it is stipulated that "people who are engaged in vaccination work at the vaccination site and the local government etc. judge that there is a possibility of frequent contact with infected people can be subject to priority vaccination according to medical staff." I will.

However, the target is those who directly perform pre-examination and vaccination at the vaccination site, and does not include those who simply pick up and drop off the vaccinated person and set up the venue.

In addition, those who are in charge of infection control work at health centers and lodging facilities are also eligible.

On the other hand, if there is a surplus of vaccine due to sudden cancellation or poor physical condition, we are asking the medical staff of a nearby medical institution or another elderly person with a vaccination ticket to speak to them.

If you still cannot find a person to receive the vaccination, we would like you to respond flexibly at the site, including inoculating the staff of the local government without discarding it.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, "Basically, I would like you to proceed with the inoculation according to the rules, but if there are exceptional cases, I would like each local government to decide who to inoculate in a way that the residents can explain. Please be assured that everyone will be able to receive the inoculation and the turn will always come around. "