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Hunting for a leftover COVID-19 vaccine? How to find a spare dose near you

This site puts you on a standby list for leftover coronavirus vaccines.

Katie Teague Writer II
Katie is a writer covering all things how-to at CNET, with a focus on Social Security and notable events. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing in golf scrambles, practicing yoga and spending time on the lake.
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Katie Teague
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We'll show you how to find out about vaccinations in your state.

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Registering to get the COVID-19 vaccine has become a new chore for millions of Americans hoping to get inoculated against the deadly coronavirus that's gripped the world for a year. (So far, the US has vaccinated more than 95 million people.) Although production and vaccinations are ramping upavailable spots can be hard to come by, especially in heavily hit cities and states. 

If you're not in one of the immediate priority groups eligible for a vaccine in your area, you can add yourself to a standby list for "leftover" coronavirus vaccines at a given site. Note, this is unused supply that would otherwise be disposed of at the end of the day.

Here's how to find and get spare COVID-19 vaccine doses in your state. Also, here are medical charges you may encounter if you get the vaccine, and what to do about them.

Read more: COVID-19 immunity: How long does it last and what is 'natural' protection?

How to get a spare COVID-19 vaccine

Dr. B is a new service that will help match spare vaccines to people in your area. If you can't seem to get an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine, visit the Dr. B site. From there, click the button that says I want the COVID vaccine and enter your phone number. Go to the next step and enter the verification code sent to your phone. For the next step, you'll need to enter your full name, ZIP code, date of birth and email address. 

Once that step is complete, you'll check off any health conditions you have -- for example, asthma, kidney disease or pregnancy. If none of those apply to you, tap the Next Step button. Next, the website will ask you to select your occupation, followed by if you live in a group home or long-term facility. Once all the questions are answered, tap Submit Registration and you're all set. If you're chosen, you'll be informed of where to go to get your vaccination, and what time to be there.

Track COVID-19 doses for every state

To track the number of COVID-19 vaccines distributed in your state, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID data tracker webpage (it works best if you use a desktop browser). Here, you'll see a map of the US -- move your cursor over each state to see total doses administered, doses distributed, people who have received one or more doses and people who have received both doses.

Watch this: Will a COVID-19 vaccine be a triumph of science or soul-searching?

Which vaccines are people getting?

Currently, there are three vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the US: Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Currently, Pfizer has been more widely administered, with more than 46.8 million shots given. Moderna, which was approved after Pfizer, is at more than 46.5 million doses administered. Johnson & Johnson is nearing 259,000. Over 121,000 doses administered haven't yet been identified.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, here's why you should continue to wear a mask, even after getting the vaccine. Also, your employer can require you to get the COVID-19 vaccine and here's the priority order for who gets the vaccine first.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.