Disposal of COVID-19 Vaccine Vials

Good Afternoon Immunization Partners,

 We have recently received a few inquiries regarding how to dispose of the COVID-19 vaccine vials. At the end of last week, we received the attached document from our partners with Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding concerns that have been raised at the federal level regarding the secure disposal of COVID-19 vaccine vials.

 The document reviews the recommended actions suggested by the Department of Defense in relation to the increased threat of fake or counterfeit vaccines. It is recommended that vaccine administration sites dispose of wasted COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with their jurisdiction’s procedures and take appropriate steps to properly dispose of empty vaccine vials and product packaging. Recommended actions to further protect COVID-19 vaccine empty vials and packaging are:

• Action 1 (Preferred method): Treat vials and packaging similarly to medical waste by placing in red sharps container; OR
• Action 2: Deface all or safely crush materials so it cannot be reintroduced or reproduced. After the products are sufficiently defaced, then dispose with regular waste.

Additionally, vaccines are only available and administered through State authorized vaccination locations. Non-medical companies or private persons are not authorized to provide, sell, or administer vaccines. Any offers related to the sale or use of COVID vaccines, not from a medical provider, should be considered suspicious and reported to the appropriate state or jurisdiction. This may include: State or local Department of Health; the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov; or submit a tip to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to: www.tips.fbi.gov.

Thank you for all your hard work to protect Michiganders from vaccine-preventable diseases!

-The Immunization Nurse Education Team, Andrea, Heidi, Maria, and Terri

• Memo - Secure disposal of vaccine vials and packaging recommendation (20210202) v2.pdf