Reports claiming 50 lakhs unused Covishield doses may go waste by Feb-end are Misleading: Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has dismissed media reports as false and misleading which has claimed that about 50 lakhs doses of the Covishield vaccine will go waste by the end of February.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a press statement has said that some media reports alleging that 50 lakh unused Covishield doses may go waste by February-end’.

“Such reports are vague, without any specific information on the state-wise number of doses that are claimed to be near expiry date. The Central Government has in a proactive manner advised all State Governments to review this issue right from the start of the COVID-19 vaccination drive to ensure that wastage of vaccine doses is reduced to the minimum and that doses do not expire by stressing the principle of “First Expiry First Out” (FEFO) at all 60 consignee points,” The Health Ministry said.

It added, “In the month of November 2021, it was communicated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that States should regularly review the status of COVID vaccines expected to expire in the coming months, available with Private Hospitals within the States.”

The Ministry has asked all the states that they should take steps to ensure that no vaccine should be allowed to get expired, both in the Govt. and Private facilities.

“It was advised that the States may have a quick Video-Conference at the level of Addl. Chief Secretary (Health)/ Principal Secretary (Health) with the private hospitals to look into the utilization of vaccine doses. States were also advised that they could try interventions like administration of vaccine under CSR/ vaccination at subsidized rates in respect of Private Hospitals,” the Ministry said.