Federal Government has clarified reports circulating about one million expired covid-19 vaccines in the country, stating that Nigeria does not dispense vaccines with validity extended beyond the expiry date.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, while confirming the report, however, disclosed that the vaccines have been withdrawn, and will be destroyed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He further stated that Nigeria has recently benefited from the generosity of a number of countries, especially in Europe, who have contributed free doses of Covid-19 vaccine from their stockpiles through the COVAX or AVAT facilities.
Ehanire noted that donation of surplus Covid-19 vaccines with short/expiring shelf lives has however been of great concern internationally, but assured that the government has been handling the situation effectively, upholding the greatest standards for the safety of all Nigerians.
“These donations are usually much appreciated; however, some of them had just a few months remaining shelf life, leaving us with only a few weeks to use them after deducting time for shipping, clearing, distribution, and delivery to consumers,” the statement said.
The statement added that “We appreciate the generous donations, but we also communicated the problem of short shelf lives, and some manufacturers offered to extend the vaccine shelf life by three months after the fact, a practice that, while accepted by experts, is rejected by the Federal Ministry of Health because it does not meet our standards.
“Nigeria does not distribute vaccinations having a validity period that extends beyond the expiration date on the label. We will continue to uphold our high standards.
“Donation of surplus Covid-19 vaccines with expiring shelf lives to developing countries has been a matter of international discussion. Developing countries like Nigeria accept them because they close our critical vaccine supply gaps and, being free, save us scarce foreign exchange procurement costs. This dilemma is not typical to Nigeria, but a situation in which many low- and medium-income countries find themselves.”
According to the Ministry, the long-term measure to prevent such incidents is for Nigeria to produce its own vaccines, so that vaccines produced have at least 12 months to expiration.
This according to Dr. Ehanire, is why the Federal Ministry of Health is collaborating with stakeholders to fast-track the establishment of indigenous vaccine manufacturing capacity.
