The Sunday Times reports that about 18,000 doses of the Covidshield vaccine have been wasted so far in the country’s anti-covid vaccination program.
This is because health workers administering the vaccine are throwing the remainder of the vaccine left in the vials. The manufacturers claim that the vials currently in use contain 10 doses of the vaccine.
However, after taking these 10 doses, another dose or two is left at the bottom of the vial. An investigation by the National Drug Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and other specialists has revealed that this dose can also be used by using a small syringe and needle. Accordingly, the National Drug Regulatory Authority has informed the Ministry of Health that the remaining dose can also be used.
However, due to the failure of the Ministry of Health to provide proper training or awareness for this purpose, most of the 10 doses left in the vials are discarded along with the vials. Experts also said that the dose could have been given to such vulnerable groups
