The Pfizer jab, which must be kept at extremely low temperatures, arrives in the UK in vials of five doses. There is enough to administer two extra doses from each vial in case of spillage. They must be kept in special fridges and used within a specific time period.
But in Nottinghamshire, scores of appointments have been missed.
Up to 10 police have been called up to receive the vaccine to minimise the doses being wasted.
Councillor John Clarke, the leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: “I am appalled that people are not turning up for their appointment.
“There is a lot that has gone into this and it disturbs me that people are not taking full advantage of it.
“The NHS needs to tighten up the wastage because we are all so desperate for this injection.
“It is £39 for the first vaccine shot. I am glad they are using it on police but everyone is working hard to beat this virus and people are not paying attention.
“This is not a fad. We’ve had nearly a year of this.”
Councillor Milan Radulovic, the leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said his area was still not on the list for a vaccine centre which he described as “concerning.”
He added: “It is ludicrous if there are vaccines left at the end of the day and that needs to be put right. It needs to go into people’s arms.
“If there is a problem then come see us and we will do everything we can to help.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said the vaccine programme had been “problematic” with people not turning up to their appointments.
Mr Tipping told Nottinghamshire Live: “There are two issues around the Pfizer vaccine – you can get more out of a vial than is allowed – so you can get an extra dose out and that should not be wasted.
“Getting people through the door has also proved problematic. Some people don’t turn up to appointments.
“A number of police officers for Nottinghamshire have been to the Queen’s Medical Centre and had an injection.
“It is about five or 10. People are keen to use it if it is available. Nobody in Nottinghamshire is putting police officers to the front of the queue for the vaccine.
“But if it is available we don’t want to destroy it and it is best we use it in a positive and constructive way. Police are delighted to have been asked.”
Nottinghamshire Police said a handful of police officers working within the vaccine centres had been vaccinated and there were no plans to roll it out across the whole force yet.
More than a million people have been vaccinated across the country so far. Plans are to have priority groups vaccinated by mid-February.
Priority at the moment is people aged 80 and over, people who live or work in care homes and healthcare workers at high risk.
An NHS spokeswoman said: “The NHS is vaccinating over 80s, care home residents and health care staff at the highest risk in line with JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) guidance.
“In order to avoid any vaccines being wasted, those administering the vaccine have to make pragmatic decisions to ensure any unfilled appointments are used.”
