Former Zocdoc founder, Cyrus Massoumi, launched a unique website catering to Americans seeking the COVID-19 vaccine, with clinics that held a surplus of the medication, minimizing the waste from expiry overall. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines needed administration within hours of thawing, particularly when removed from the ultralow temperature storage. Leftover doses were administered to grocery store shoppers, close contacts of pharmacy staff, or in-house teams needing a jab.

What was Dr. B's Goal?

The most prominent goal of the Dr. B vaccine list was limiting waste by facilitating distribution. The platform connected individuals who wanted the COVID-19 vaccine with those clinics holding extra doses. The website functioned as a standby service, similar to airport lists facilitating passengers. When local clinics had available quantities, they uploaded the information to the website, where the automated algorithm determined appropriate candidates for the dose.

All clinics had to upload the available quantities and expected vaccine expiration. From there, Dr. B would cycle through the registry and pull names from the registry for contact. The algorithm cross-referenced all profiles against specific state guidelines to ensure eligibility. Both eligibility and an overall risk assessment would determine the contact order, having the highest priority individuals receiving an opportunity first.

Individuals who could access the clinic within the specified time could confirm the appointment through text. Individuals who couldn't reach the vaccine in time would decline the appointment, sending them to the back of the priority status list. All rejected appointments would subsequently offer to other people within the risk category, moving further down the line until the platform filled the position.

Why Were these Vaccines Discarded?

All covid vaccines use mRNA technology for administration, which requires a cold environment for transportation and storage. These vaccines require continuous cold storage to maintain efficiency, sitting at -100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, the vaccine quickly broke down considerably after removing the doses from their cold environment. As such, scheduling became paramount for preventing unnecessary waste. When the clinics faced cancelations and no-show appointments, Dr. B filled the void overall.

Initial Response to the Website

Initially, two clinics joined the platform, hoping to minimize vaccine waste within their community. The first clinic was a drug store owner struggling to use up supply before the pharmacist was forced to discard the extra into the bin. In Brittany Marsh of Little Rock, Arkansas, a drug store owner struggled to find available patients for doses after being hit with 22-inches of snow in early February. This pharmacy mitigated the loss with Dr. B's platform by sourcing available patrons wanting a vaccine.

Before Dr. B, many clinics spent countless man-hours locating available patrons on-site, which was exceptionally time-consuming and challenging. Thanks to the automated nature, clinics could reach qualified and interested candidates without additional work. Over time, over 750 different clinics joined Dr. B, minimizing vaccine waste during a catastrophic shortage that left thousands without accessibility.

A Deliberately Quiet Launch

While the platform was exceptionally popular, Massoumi held strict ideas during the launch of his website. Avoiding widespread press (that would bombard the website with countless registrations), he tried to focus efforts on awareness within at-risk communities. These communities include vulnerable populations that struggled to find vaccine appointments. Initial advertising channels were iHeartRadio's Spanish-speaking channels, Community Action Network, NAACP, and the Indian Health Service.

As interest in the standby platform continued to grow, popularity began to soar. Anyone interested in joining could complete the online registration to join the waitlist. Dr. B collected all addresses, geographic locations, employment details, and relevant health conditions of every applicant to prioritize the vaccination request. Over time, Dr. B's website grew significantly. Over 755 different vaccination clinics offered their surplus to those actively waiting for a vaccine. At the campaign's close, 2.5 million people registered for the program, making it a highly effective network of individuals wanting the vaccine and clinics trying to minimize waste.

The platform organized individual users according to their specific qualifications. This eligibility included state mandates, eligibility, and placeholder status. As such, the platform cross-referenced candidates against these determining factors, with qualified people receiving text messages from Dr. B's website. Should an individual decline the appointment time, the platform automatically moves to the next candidate.

A Platform with Influence

The most significant component of Dr. B's website was the glaring issue of waste reduction with valuable medical resources. By filling an otherwise void area in healthcare, Dr. B connected willing individuals with facilities with a surplus of COVID-19 vaccines. What started as a start-up trying to make a difference developed into a vital access point for vulnerable communities. With over one million text messages sent during 2021, Dr. B worked tirelessly to reduce vaccine waste and implement a highly active-standby list for those willing to receive a last-minute jab.