Over 7,000 vaccines wasted in Texas; Here's what went wrong
As millions are patiently waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine, thousands of doses are being tossed in the trash.
Author: Shandel Menezes
Updated: 11:42 AM CDT March 17, 2021
SMITH COUNTY, Texas — More than 7,000 vaccines have been wasted in Texas according to recent data from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). There are many reasons why these shots never made it into someone’s arm.
Providers are also required to report why any dose isn't usable. Common reasons are that they simply expired, a natural disaster happened, a power outage or refrigeration issues. The Centers for Disease Control say these vaccines can be left at room temperature for up to six hours. After that, if you don't use it, you lose it.