Pfizer vaccine vials may contain extra doses, FDA says

(Photo by Mark Lennihan - Pool/Getty Images)

(SILVER SPRING, Md.) The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that some vials for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine contain an excess of doses and that pharmacists can use the extra doses, according to Politico.

Each vial is supposed to hold five doses, but some pharmacists have found enough vaccine for a sixth or seventh dose.

An FDA spokesperson told Politico, "Given the public health emergency, FDA is advising that it is acceptable to use every full dose obtainable."

According to USA Today, Pfizer said pharmacists must throw away any extra vaccine if there isn't the 0.3 mL required for a full dose and that any remainder "must never" be combined with vaccine from a different vial due to risk of contamination.

The additional doses could help bolster the United States' initial supply of vaccines and reduce the chances of a "vaccine cliff" as demand for the vaccine begins to outstrip supplies, according to Politico.

The FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use on Dec. 11. Another similar vaccine produced by Moderna could get approval in the coming days after it undergoes a vaccine panel review Thursday, according to USA Today.

The majority of the early supply of vaccines is reserved for health care workers and residents and staff in long-term care facilities.

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