The Centre on Monday dismissed media reports which claimed expired vaccines were being administered in the country under the government’s national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Such reports are false, misleading and based on incomplete information, said the health ministry in a statement.
“The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) on 25th October 2021, in response to M/s Bharat Biotech International Limited’s letter no: BBIL/RA/21/567 has approved the extension of shelf life of Covaxin (Whole Virion, Inactivated Coronavirus Vaccine) from 9 months to 12 months. Similarly, the shelf life of Covishield has been extended by the National Regulator from 6 months to 9 months on 22nd February 2021,” the statement said.
The shelf life of vaccines is extended by the National Regulator based on comprehensive analysis and examination of stability study data furnished by the vaccine manufacturers, it said.
India began the vaccination for children in the age group of 16-18 on Monday. Even as many of the private schools have tied up with hospitals to conduct vaccination drive on their campus, some parents are apprehensive about getting their children vaccinated amidst rumours that the Covaxin doses have expired.
Reports said Covaxin’s manufacturer Bharat Biotech had informed the private hospitals that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had extended the shelf life of Covaxin doses to 12 months from the date of manufacture.
Over 39.88 lakh beneficiaries, aged 15 to 18 years, have registered on CoWIN portal till Monday afternoon and over 12.3 lakh children have received COVID-19 vaccine doses so far across the country, according to the portal data at 3 pm.
