Parents Claim Teenagers Given Expired Covaxin, Govt Calls It 'False Information'

The children between the age groups of 15-17 years were given the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin on January 3, 2022. Many parents took to social media to claim that the Covaxin doses given to the children were from vials with last month's expiry date. The Health Ministry then came out with a clarification on Monday.

As per the government guidelines, Covaxin is the only vaccine being given to teenagers in India. So far, more than three lakh vaccinations have been carried out among the said age group on day one. In several social media posts, people claimed on Monday the children were being given expired doses of Covaxin but the hospitals in different sheets were showing them "revised" expiry dates.

Expired Covaxin Controversy:

The Union Health Minister denied the claims and said that it was "false and misleading based on incomplete information. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation had approved the extension of the shelf life of the Covaxin from nine months to 12 months in October 2020, the government said. The shelf life of Covishield had also been extended from six months nine months in February last year.

Suggested Reading: What To Expect When Children Get Covaxin Shots

The statement added, "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." As per media reports, the shelf-life extension of the vaccines depend on details like the stability data of the vaccines. As the COVID-19 vaccines get older, there could be some revisions but it does not mean that we are making mistakes but that we are using information to reach a conclusion. Reportedly 6.5 crore registrations have been made in the 15-17 year category for the vaccination out of the estimated population of approx 10 crore.

Many social media users also shared that the Co-WIN portal showed irregularities for some candidates. The portal was reportedly showing availability of Covishield vaccine even though it is not approved for vaccination among teenagers.