COVID-19: Myth versus Facts - reports of expired vaccines being administered in India are false and misleading; know the complete truth

Centre today said that certain media reports claiming that expired vaccines are being administered in India are false and misleading.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had earlier approved extension of shelf life of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines to 12 months and 9 months, respectively, a government release said.

“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 release said.

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The CDSCO had on 25 October 2021, in response to Bharat Biotech International Limited letter approved the extension of shelf life of Covaxin (Whole Virion, Inactivated Coronavirus Vaccine) from 9 months to 12 months, the release said. Similarly, the shelf life of Covishield has been extended by the national drug regulator from 6 months to 9 months on 22 February 2021.

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.

India today started vaccination for children aged between 15 and 18 years. Meanwhile for frontline workers and senior citizens, the precaution dose or booster dose will be administered from 10 January.

Over 23 lakh inoculations were done in the last 24 hours as on 7 am today, taking the overall tally over 145.68 cr (1,45,68,89,306), another release said.
India’s Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.20 per cent while 33,750 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
India's Active Caseload currently stands at 1,45,582 while the Weekly Positivity Rate was at 1.68 per cent as per the data released in the morning today.