MICHIGAN, USA — Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine shipped to Michigan that were thought to be unusable because of temperature control issues can actually be used, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) learned Monday that 8,900 Moderna vaccine doses shipped last month can be used as long as they were stored properly in the time since.
Initial reports from the state indicated 11,900 doses were impacted by this issue, but an additional 3,000 doses headed for Michigan last month were held back by the distributor out of similar concerns and replaced.
“We are pleased we will be able to use these vaccines to protect Michiganders from the virus as we work to reach our goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders over age 16 as quickly as possible with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “These safeguards are put into place to ensure the integrity of the vaccine and based on the investigation that was conducted, these vaccines can now be used.”
According to the MDHHS, the doses were shipped by McKesson, a medical shipping company, in mid-January and their temperature was reported as going out of range and getting too cold. McKesson completed an internal investigation. Based on data provided as part of that investigation, Moderna agreed that the vaccine in this shipment was viable, as long as the following occurred:
- Doses are confirmed to have been stored in quarantine at -20C, or
- Doses are confirmed to have been stored in quarantine at 2-8C and the doses were placed in refrigerated storage within 30 days.
Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCPDH) received 1,600 of the impacted doses in January. The department said it has kept the shipment in temperature controlled storage ever since it arrived.
Marcia Mansaray, deputy heath officer with OCDPH said these doses will now provide extra supply for upcoming clinics.
"Although the shipments’ temperature monitors registered an alert for a temperature that was colder than the expected range during shipping, Moderna agreed that the vaccine in these shipments was viable upon arrival at the health departments and remains viable if it has been properly stored by the health department," Mansaray said in a statement.
"Ottawa County Department of Public Health immediately placed our shipment of 1,600 doses into temperature-controlled and monitored vaccine storage and is eager to have the additional vaccine to put into eager arms this week."
All 21 of the originally impacted shipments were replaced within a day or two.
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