Insiders working in the program have warned of multiple issues that mean clinics are regularly under or oversupplied, sparking a mad race to vaccinate as many people as possible.Pfizer vaccines can only be used in the five days since they are unpacked and thawed and this has created headaches for staff working to deliver the jab.In some cases, doses are being delivered on a Monday after being opened four days earlier and authorities are left racing against time to stop them going in the trash.Shipments have also been known to arrive late or not at all.Clinics have also complained they have no idea exactly how many doses they will get until they have already arrived, creating a nightmare in organising the rollout for aged care homes, Aboriginal services and vulnerable or disability facilities who need it most.Pfizer vaccines costs about $24 a dose compared to $4 for Astra Zeneca. A federal Department of Health spokesman said the Commonwealth was redesigning the vaccine program with the states and changes were expected to improve the rollout.These include a mass vaccination plan for Pfizer doses and allowing some state and territory sites to use both vaccines from a single location.“The Commonwealth is working closely with our logistics partners, including incorporating the staff of our logistic partners within the Vaccine Operations Centre to ensure vaccines are delivered in accordance with the delivery timelines,” the spokesman said.kieran.rooney@news.com.au
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