Good Question: Can second dose COVID vaccines be used for the first dose?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— Here’s a Good Question about vaccines.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has been saying for weeks that we are seeing a shortage in vaccines, News10NBC checked the state’s database, we found the state has administered nearly 90% of its first doses. However, 60% of the state’s second doses are still available.

So, can the state use those second doses to vaccinate people hoping to get their first shot? The short answer is no.

As the governor touched on in his briefing Sunday, first of all, a move like that would be illegal, as the federal government would need to approve the move. The second issue is, if you use second doses as first doses, people who need their second shot could run into supply issues if vaccine production doesn’t increase.

Remember, health experts say you need both doses of the vaccine in order for it to be effective against the virus.

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Watch previous Good Question segments here. If you have a question you’d like answered, email GoodQuestion@whec.com.