FPJ Explains: How soon would a COVID-19 vaccine expire?
the claims and concerns raised over expired doses being given to the younger lot? This led to the Health Ministry issue a
clarification and stated that the rumors were “false and misleading”. It pointed out that the shelf life of Covaxin, the only vaccine being given to the people below 18 years of age, had been extended in November after proper regulatory scrutiny, and as such these vaccine doses were as good as any. The approval was based on the availability of additional “stability data” which was submitted by the firm to CDSCO.
“The shelf life of a vaccine is a reflection of how long the vaccine retains its potency and stability at a given storage temperature and therefore its effectiveness. Expiry dates do not affect the safety of the vaccine, rather are related to the potency or amount of protection the vaccine gives,” the World Health Organization (WHO) stated.