Ministry of Health dismisses media reports of expired Covid vaccines used in India as false and misleading

New Delhi, January 3 (PTI) The Union Health Ministry on Monday dismissed media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in the country as part of its COVID-19 vaccination program, calling them of “false and misleading”.

“Some media have reported that expired vaccines are being administered in India as part of its national COVID-19 vaccination program. It is false and misleading and based on incomplete information, ”the ministry said in a statement.

On October 25, 2021, in response to the letter from Bharat Biotech International Limited, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) approved the extension of the shelf life of Covaxin (Whole Virion, Inactivated Coronavirus Vaccine) from nine months to 12 month, the ministry mentioned.

Likewise, the shelf life of Covishield was extended by the drug’s regulator from six months to 9 months on February 22, 2021.

The shelf life of vaccines is being extended by CDSCO based on extensive analysis and review of stability study data provided by vaccine manufacturers, the ministry said.

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