By: Taylor Johnson
Date: February 2, 2021
“Vaccine Seekers” Engage in “Vaccine Scavenging” to Claim Expiring Doses
Since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, reports have emerged about doses expiring before they can be administered. These vaccines, which require strict refrigeration, become ineffective if they thaw for too long. While some stories surrounding these expiring doses are uplifting—like healthcare workers distributing leftover vaccines to stranded motorists during a snowstorm—others are disheartening, as some hospitals have discarded surplus doses at the close of the day.
As awareness of the “expiring vaccine” issue has grown, individuals are now gathering outside pharmacies and vaccination sites, hoping to receive leftover doses at day’s end. One young woman, Emma Lee, gained popularity on TikTok for her successful attempt at what she termed “vaccine scavenging.” In her viral video, the 25-year-old exclaimed, “We did it, team! We went vaccine scavenging!”
Emma and her friend, along with others, formed a spontaneous queue at their local pharmacy. By the end of the day, after legitimate appointments had been filled, eight leftover vaccines—destined to expire—remained. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are only viable for a few hours without refrigeration, making the stakes high. Emma was fortunate enough to receive a shot that day.
The reactions to her video have been mixed. Some applaud her for ensuring that the doses were used rather than wasted, echoing sentiments from a healthcare worker who commented, “My facility doesn’t allow us to use extra doses. The amount of wasted doses due to no-shows is heartbreaking.”
On the flip side, there is a palpable sense of inequity, according to Dr. Sarah Thompson, an associate professor at the University of California, who specializes in bioethics. The current vaccination infrastructure seems to favor those who are tech-savvy, allowing younger, more able-bodied individuals to capitalize on this loophole, while seniors—who genuinely need the vaccine—are unable to wait in lines all day. Emma herself recognized this privilege, stating, “I can afford to wait all day for a vaccine. Vaccination centers need to improve their systems to better serve the communities they are intended to help.”
At Kedren Community Health Center in Los Angeles, the news about surplus vaccines has led to a regular crowd forming outside, hoping to snag an end-of-day dose in a tailgate-style line.
On social media platforms like Facebook, groups dedicated to “Vaccine Seekers” have emerged, where members share tips on where to find soon-to-expire doses. One such group, the NOLA Vaccine Seekers, describes its mission as, “COVID-19 vaccines are vital resources, and it’s unfortunate that many doses are wasted daily. In this group, we’ll exchange information about locations where individuals of any age can get vaccinated without restrictions and without depriving others.”
Curious, I joined two local Facebook groups for “vaccine seekers.” While the groups are small and somewhat inactive, they appear to function as a fragmented network of individuals sharing leads about hospitals and clinics where leftover doses might be available, provided you have the time and willingness to hunt.
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Summary:
As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, some individuals, dubbed “vaccine seekers,” have taken to monitoring pharmacies for leftover doses that might otherwise expire. While some celebrate these efforts as a way to prevent waste, others express concerns over equity, noting that those who truly need the vaccine often cannot wait in line all day. Social media platforms have become hubs for sharing tips on where to find these precious doses.
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