​Since July 1, with the closure of the last vaccination centers, vaccinations against COVID-19 have moved exclusively to the offices of family doctors. But do family doctors have the conditions to store vaccines at the optimal temperature in their offices?
At what temperature are vaccines stored in general practice offices
In most cases, family doctors do not have the conditions for storing frozen vaccines in their offices. Practically, vaccines arrive to them thawed and can be stored for 30 days in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius. After 30 days at refrigerator temperature, vaccines that may have remained unused are thrown away, family doctors contacted by HotNews.ro explained.
It is also useful to know that the vaccines against COVID-19 are multi-dose – they come in vials of 5, 6 or 10 doses. After vaccinating a patient, the remaining doses must be used within 6 hours, otherwise they are also discarded.
GPs say they are unlikely to have two or more patients scheduled for vaccination within 6 hours, given the low interest in being late, let alone 5, 6 or 10 patients, so they expect a large proportion of vaccine doses to be thrown away .
Bone of contention: GPs risk paying out of pocket for lost vaccines
The MOH order, which took effect on April 1, means that family doctors risk paying for vaccines out of pocket if a quarter of the doses that arrive at their offices remain unused or expire. So far, lost vaccine doses have not been given to anyone in vaccination centers.
A large part of family doctors are dissatisfied with this provision, which, in their opinion, discourages them from participating in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. Moreover, they are not required to administer vaccines against COVID-19 in their practice, but can do so only if they wish. Practically, the vaccine against COVID-19 is not available in all family medicine dispensaries, but only in some – we are talking about family doctors who decided to join the vaccination campaign against COVID-19.
On July 11, Health Minister Alexandru Rafila announced at a press conference held at the ministry’s headquarters that the minister’s order from April would be amended and family doctors would pay out-of-pocket for unused COVID-19 vaccines. or end up in their cabinets only if losses reach 50% of the total number of doses. The Ministry of Health is working on an order in this regard, Minister Alexandru Rafila said.
Where can you get vaccinated against COVID-19?
You can get vaccinated against COVID-19 not in the offices of all family doctors, but only in those who wanted to join the vaccination campaign.
If the vaccine is not available at your family doctor’s office, you can get vaccinated at any other office.
The list of family medicine dispensaries that carry out vaccination against COVID-19 is available on the website of the Ministry of Health (the full list can be viewed here).
Read also:
- 6th wave of COVID-19: If I have two doses of the vaccine, should I get vaccinated now or in the fall? What if I have 3 doses? Where else can you get vaccinated after the centers are closed
Source: Hot News RU
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