MADISON, Wis. — COVID-19 vaccine clinics that once created lines out of buildings are now often quiet and empty.
At the peak of vaccine distribution, SSM Health was vaccinating 20,000 people a week. Now, they’re giving out about 1,000 shots a week, and most of them are second doses.
But there are a few reasons demand could pick back up a bit later this summer.
SSM Health has about 1,000 Pfizer shots and 1,000 Johnson & Johnson shots left, but many more Moderna doses. That’s because most of the patients they’ve been vaccinating over the last few months are ages 12-17 and can only get Pfizer.
Luckily, the Moderna shots won’t expire until October.
SSM Health is shifting their plans to ensure primary care physicians have vaccine, making it easier to access at more locations.
“When you go to visit your physician for an annual check up or for any other reason, the vaccine will be offered to you if your record shows that you haven’t received it yet,” said Regional VP of Pharmacy Services Mo Kharbat.
Kharbat hopes that getting the shot from someone they’re comfortable and familiar with might convince patients who are hesitant to get the vaccine.
“We also this week began offering the vaccine to our hospital patients. So when a patient is in the hospital already for a surgical procedure or for any other medical condition, our physicians and nurses will offer the vaccine to them,” said Kharbat.
He said there are a few reasons why demand could pick back up before those doses go bad. He expects to see more young patients before school starts, more companies could make the vaccine mandatory for employees, and some people might be waiting for the FDA to fully approve the vaccines.
In an effort to use all the leftover doses in the state, a portal has been set up so vaccinators can see which pharmacies and hospitals have available vaccine before ordering more from the federal government.
Kharbat is confident SSM Health will use all of its vaccine and will need to request more Pfizer shots soon.
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