Michigan's 8,700 Spoiled Moderna Vaccine Doses Deemed Viable

LANSING, MI — Nearly 9,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine that had temperature issues while being shipped in mid-January have been deemed viable by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Moderna, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.

The 8,900 doses were in 21 McKesson shipments in mid-January that had their temperature reported as going out of range and getting too cold by the monitoring device used to check the vaccine temperature while in transport. Initial reports had the total doses impacted at 11,900, but an internal investigation by McKesson determined that number was exaggerated and also that the doses were viable.

“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 percent of Michiganders over age 16 as quickly as possible with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan's 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.”

Don't miss important updates from health and government officials on the impact of the coronavirus in Michigan. Sign up for Patch's daily newsletters and email alerts.

Vaccines are shipped to vaccine providers across the state by the manufacturers and distributors. Doses are allocated to each state by the federal government.

Read More: 21 COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments Spoiled On Their Way To Michigan

Michigan reported 2,066 new cases of the coronavirus Monday, bringing the statewide total of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 561,307, according to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services data.

The state also reported eight more COVID-19 deaths Monday, growing the coronavirus death toll in Michigan to 14,609, according to state data.