I think I know why Pfizer became available for foreigners

[BestB]

Firstly , do not want to start any rumours or gossip , this is my opinion from an observation.

 

I was registered with Bangkok hospital for shots of AZ, but 2 days before had a choice of Pfizer.

 

Today had my shot and while waiting the 30 mins started reading all the papers I had.

 

1 paper had the sticker with batch number, serial number and exp date.

 

Exp date was 21 September, Ie next month.

 

So I think the reason why Pfizer became so available is because the expire date. Did US donate vaccine with short shelve life? I am inclined to think so.

 

Saying that, it worked out well for me, I am happy and I am under 60.

 

If anyone interested , no side effects  per say but feeling spaced out about 1-2 hours after the shot, hard to concentrate but other than that, nothing  at all

[StayinThailand2much]

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

Edited August 24, 2021 by StayinThailand2much

[BestB]

3 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

Do not think so, it’s still within expiry date and we having similar side effects . If it was off, we would not get any side effects at all. ????

[Kanada]

13 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

So you got your Vax shot with the best out there and now you’re worried how??

I think you might complain if they hung you with a silk rope!!

 

 

[mtls2005]

51 minutes ago, BestB said:

1 paper had the sticker with batch number, serial number and exp date.

Can you post an image of this?

 

Some portion of Pfizer vaccines were meant to go to foreigners over 60.

 

I'm not certain expiration date factored into anything, but have I heard crazier theories? Yep.

 

 

[BestB]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

Can you post an image of this?

 

Some portion of Pfizer vaccines were meant to go to foreigners over 60.

 

I'm not certain expiration date factored into anything, but have I heard crazier theories? Yep.

 

 

can not, because they take it as you are leaving

 

Well i am under 60 ????

 

did not even have to beg or ask, they just made an offer which one i wanted

 

And do not get me wrong i am happy, and expiry next month does not bother me, but makes sense why its so freely available.

[VocalNeal]

2 hours ago, BestB said:

Exp date was 21 September, Ie next month.

So it makes sense to use up the supply now. 

[BestB]

@mtls2005 Another thing, not sure if any meaning behind it, but upon arrival they asked me how old i was, and i am just over 40, her reply was something along the lines of yes over 40 can have Pfizer.

 

Make of it what you will.

 

Also just to put some at ease, everyone waits for 30 mins after the shot in a big hall, in that time i did not see anyone feeling sick or asking for any help or having any signs of anything.

 

Well organized, English spoken, friendly, of course a number of "gentleman" felt the need to bring their skirt with them and even talk to the nurses for them. no idea why when all nurses spoke clear English.

 

I wonder if they need a skirt to go to 7-11 with them as well

[BestB]

Just now, VocalNeal said:

So it makes sense to use up the supply now. 

exactly my point, this is why i think it became so widely available.

 

If my theory is correct, there will be no Pfizer available after that date, will wait and see

[Orac]

7 minutes ago, BestB said:

exactly my point, this is why i think it became so widely available.

 

If my theory is correct, there will be no Pfizer available after that date, will wait and see

If the second dose of pfizer is in 3 weeks that is possibly the date they are working to - need to do first dose at least three weeks before expiry date and hold second doses if no guarantee of further supply before then.

[BestB]

24 minutes ago, Orac said:

If the second dose of pfizer is in 3 weeks that is possibly the date they are working to - need to do first dose at least three weeks before expiry date and hold second doses if no guarantee of further supply before then.

Second shot 14 September and bookings ended on 29 Aug for the first shot, which would make it precise 1 day before final expiry.

[cdemundo]

4 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

I think expiry dates are very conservative, if your vaccine was before the expiry date you should be ok.

[couchpotato]

2 hours ago, BestB said:

Second shot 14 September and bookings ended on 29 Aug for the first shot, which would make it precise 1 day before final expiry.

Actually 10 days before expiry (if 2nd shot is 3 weeks after first shot).

[BestB]

3 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Actually 10 days before expiry (if 2nd shot is 3 weeks after first shot).

do not follow you, today was first, next is on 14th

first shots closed on 29, so they be getting their second on 19t-20th

Expiry is 21st

[couchpotato]

12 minutes ago, BestB said:

do not follow you, today was first, next is on 14th

first shots closed on 29, so they be getting their second on 19t-20th

Expiry is 21st

yep a faux pas...I read expiry date wrong

[Mickeymaus]

Don't panic:

 

"Cartons and vials of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine with an expiry date of August 2021 through February 2022 printed on the label may remain in use for 3 months beyond the printed date as long as approved storage conditions between -90ºC to -60ºC (-130ºF to -76ºF) have been maintained. Updated expiry dates are shown below.

 

Printed Expiry Date - > Updated Expiry Date

 

August 2021 - > November 2021
September 2021 - > December 2021
October 2021 - > January 2022"

 

https://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download
 

[bangkokgalaxy]

Did US donate vaccine with short shelve life? I am inclined to think so. Saying that, it worked out well for me, I am happy and I am under 60.

 

Good news. As a US citizen, it would be great some of my own vaccine (short shelf life or not). How did you book with Bangkok Hospital being under 60? I assumed ExpatVac only scheduled vaccines to those over 60 or with special health conditions. 

[Someone Else]

Keep in mind there is a safety factor built into whatever expiry date is printed on the vial, sort of like max weight in an elevator certification.  Expiry dates are based on stability data, so in the case of newer products that data would be time-constrained and subject to extensions based on newly emerging data over time (post above would be such an example).  

 

Indeed these dates are typically quite conservative as another poster mentioned, it's extremely unlikely the vaccine would suddenly "go bad" on Sep 21.  Bigger risk IMO would be product not being kept at specified storage conditions.  

[couchpotato]

24 minutes ago, bangkokgalaxy said:

Did US donate vaccine with short shelve life? I am inclined to think so. Saying that, it worked out well for me, I am happy and I am under 60.

 

Good news. As a US citizen, it would be great some of my own vaccine (short shelf life or not). How did you book with Bangkok Hospital being under 60? I assumed ExpatVac only scheduled vaccines to those over 60 or with special health conditions. 

Can book thru their website/google forms for 40 years up now. Do it tomorrow and you'll probably have an appt for one or 2 days after. Good luck

 

[Mickeymaus]

38 minutes ago, bangkokgalaxy said:

Did US donate vaccine with short shelve life? I am inclined to think so. Saying that, it worked out well for me, I am happy and I am under 60.

 

Good news. As a US citizen, it would be great some of my own vaccine (short shelf life or not). How did you book with Bangkok Hospital being under 60? I assumed ExpatVac only scheduled vaccines to those over 60 or with special health conditions. 

It is 40 now

 

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/hospital-news-en/press-release-en/item/3046-covid-vaccine-non-thai-residents-en.html

[Bohemianfish]

9 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

The second Moderna knocked us on our butts. First shot barely anything. Same for daughter with Pfizer.

[BestB]

5 hours ago, bangkokgalaxy said:

Did US donate vaccine with short shelve life? I am inclined to think so. Saying that, it worked out well for me, I am happy and I am under 60.

 

Good news. As a US citizen, it would be great some of my own vaccine (short shelf life or not). How did you book with Bangkok Hospital being under 60? I assumed ExpatVac only scheduled vaccines to those over 60 or with special health conditions. 

On the website 

[arick]

It is well known that the US stockpiled loads of vaccines and then realize they were being used and started donating them because they were coming up to the  expire date.  Canada did the same with AZ. Canada ordered 5 doses per residence.  Also if phifzer has to be stored at ultra low temp. Both vaccines can last up to six months frozen. Once thawed, Pfizer's can be kept in a refrigerator for five days and Moderna's for 30 days.

[thesetat2013]

On 8/16/2021 at 8:17 PM, burner2014 said:

 

 

12 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

I'm curious how you even managed to register being their website only accepted people over 60 or with the 7 underlying conditions. 

[shdmn]

It's almost as if they are giving out shots with the earliest expiry date first.  Strange.  ????

Edited August 24, 2021 by shdmn

[mrmicbkktxl]

You said you are under 60 do you have underlying conditions? I'm diabetic but was scared to get a certificate at my hospital.When i tried to sign up for pfizer I couldn't finish the form, because no certificate and I'm under 60.So after all I got Sinopharm 2 shots.Yesterday I checked and now it's open for everyone but not if you got a covid vaccination already.I prepaid moderna for October but not sure if they want to vaccinate me since I got Sinopharm already

[cardinalblue]

Foreigners under 60 should not get the vaccine b/f the over 60 crowd…

 

Now you have foreigners who have gotten their 2 shots of Sinovac and or Zeneca trying to get a third shot of pfizer b/f many over 60 foreigners haven’t gotten their first pfizer shot  

 

what a sad commentary on human selfishness - pathetic.

[Inala]

13 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

You should be. Human error is commonplace.

[Inala]

13 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Received my first Pfizer shot; hardly any side effects, except feeling a bit sleepy the same day, and getting very slight and short headaches (barely noticeable) on the second day. I'm a bit worried that the vaccine was perhaps 'wrongly' handled or 'not working' due to being nearly expired. 

You should be. Human error is commonplace.

[rwill]

If you check after the vaccine is taken out of ultra cold storage  and is refrigerated it expires in 1 month.  Once it is diluted for injections it can be kept at room temperature for 6 hours.

 

So the expiration date you saw is probably normal.

 

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Summary (cdc.gov)

Edited August 25, 2021 by rwill