While rare because of the high demand for COVID-19 vaccines, people do miss scheduled appointments because of something unforeseen, leaving extra doses at the end of the day.
Most local providers agree that getting those shots into arms - almost any arm - is better than letting it go to waste.
After a vial is opened or punctured, there are approximately six hours before the CDC says the dose has to be discarded. Vaccines also last about 12 hours after being thawed out.
In its recent guidance to retail pharmacies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends "expanding vaccine availability to broader population groups when vaccine supply at a certain location is in danger of being unused."
Many Chattanooga area providers said it is their goal to only open and thaw what is needed, and some try to only puncture vials when it is almost guaranteed that enough people are present to use up the entire bottle.
But if there are leftovers, local providers said they utilize a combination of protocols including using waitlists and vaccinating on-site staff.
Here are how a few different area providers decide to delve out extra doses and avoid waste:
Hamilton County Health Department
921 E. Third St.
According to the health department, while every effort is made to avoid any leftover vaccinations, per the county's policy, any extra doses would first be offered to those on site who are already eligible. Workers are directed to try to stick to those who fall into current eligible phases, but the priority is to not waste doses.
If there is no one on site who falls into the above criteria, the health department turns to its staff on-call list of employees who need a first or second dose.
If there are still doses left, workers contact administrators for further guidance.
Regular appointments can be scheduled at health.hamiltontn.org or by calling 423-209-5398 for first vaccine appointments and 423-209-5399 for second vaccine appointments.
Lifespring Community Health
1042 E. Third St. #103
Lifespring Community Health has a running waiting list. First priority on the list goes to those who are eligible by the current phase but haven't been able to make an appointment, then it moves to those who will be in the next eligibility phase and then all others who are medically eligible.
According to Director of Nursing Jill Fikkert, the site occasionally has one or two extra doses at the end of the day, which they typically find out about 30 minutes before the end of a vaccination event.
To receive a leftover shot a person on the waitlist must be able to arrive within 15 minutes of being notified and must be a Hamilton County resident.
Because of a high volume of calls and inquiries about the vaccine in general, the site asks that if possible those interested in being placed on the waitlist email instead of call to be mindful of those without internet access or who have trouble navigating appointment websites.
To inquire about the waitlist, residents can email jill.fikkert@lifespringcommunityhealth.org
Regular appointments can be scheduled at zocdoc.com/vaccine.
Clinica Medicos
1300 E. 23rd St.
Although they have had very few unused doses, Clinica Medicos has a running waitlist on a first-come, first-serve basis that requires residents be nearby when notified of a free dose. But the site's medical director, Dr. Kelly Rodney Arnold, says that phone hotlines are overwhelmed by people trying to get on the list.
This is making it difficult for those who are in the current priority group to get through and schedule a regular appointment by phone, so the center created a website-based signup for the waitlist.
To get on the waitlist, residents can sign up at clinicamedicos.org/vaccine-waiting-list.
Regular appointments can be scheduled by following the instructions at clinicamedicos.org/covid19-vaccination or calling 423-206-4530.
Access Family Pharmacy
4062 Hixson Pike
Pharmacist Jake Standefer said since Access Family Pharmacy began giving out vaccines, the location hasn't run into any instances of needing to "scramble to give someone a shot" in fear of it being wasted, but the pharmacy does have a general waitlist that it primarily uses to reach out to people as they become eligible for the vaccine and schedule them a regular appointment.
More information about scheduling an appointment can be found by calling 423-877-3568.
Walmart
Various area locations
According to a corporate spokesperson for Walmart, in the case of extra doses, the stores turn to "individuals, including our associates" who are in the current priority phase and then move on to those who are in the upcoming phase.
Some Walmart pharmacies may also have a waitlist. Walmart recommends that those interested call their local Walmart pharmacy phone number and select option number 2 to talk directly with someone at the pharmacy to ask to be added to a waitlist, rather than option 1. While option 1 says it is to speak with someone specifically about the COVID-19 vaccine, that number goes to a corporate office.
At least one area resident has reached out to the Times Free Press to say that a family member was able to sign up this way.
Regular appointments can be scheduled at Walmart at walmart.com/covidvaccine or at Sams Club at samsclub.com/covid.
Walgreens
Various area locations
According to a corporate spokesperson for Walgreens, in the case of extra doses, first the shots can be used to vaccinate the store's employees. If there are additional vaccines, stores are directed to contact local and state officials to determine the best next steps.
Regular appointments can be scheduled at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19/location-screening.
More information on these and additional providers of the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at vaccinefinder.org.
Contact Tierra Hayes at thayes@timesfreepress.com.