Opara Ugonna
The government of Nigeria has blamed donors and manufacturers for the expiration of COVID-19 vaccines in large amounts.
The Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire, commended the donor countries for supporting Nigeria with their vaccines, but highlighted that the drugs had short shelf life.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Minister further explained that the donor countries sent their unused vaccines to Nigeria because“they recognise a need to give away unused vaccines, before they expire in their stock.”
In his reaction, Ehanire said vaccine donations should be made with early processing and the creation of a well-oiled pathway for prompt shipment and distribution to reduce the risk of expiration.
According to the Minister, “some of the vaccines donated had residual shelf lives of only a few months that left us a very short time, some just weeks, to use them, after deduction of time to transport, clear, distribute and deliver to users.
While reiterating that the donation of surplus COVID-19 vaccines with expiry shelf lives to developing countries have been a matter of international discussion, the Minister noted that COVID-19 vaccine donations have been made mainly by European countries through COVAX or AVAT facilities.
