"Reports That Expired Covid Shots Being Given False, Misleading": Centre

The news of teenagers allegedly receiving expired doses has been raised by political leaders.

Reports claiming that expired vaccines in the 15 to 18 age group are being given under national COVID-19 vaccination programme are false and misleading, the government clarified today, adding that the reports used "incomplete information". So my son went to get his first vaccine, the drive for kids begin today and realized that the vaccine had already expired in November. Then a letter was shown wherein it seems the shelf life has been extended!!How, why, on what basis?To clear stock you experiment on kids? pic.twitter.com/259ZHDBMSN

"There have been some media reports alleging that expired vaccines are being administered in India under its national COVID-19 vaccination programme. This is false and misleading and based on incomplete information," the government said 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," it added.

The news of teenagers allegedly receiving expired doses has been raised by political leaders.