Bengaluru: A recent letter from Bharat Biotech to stakeholders say it extends the life of the covaxin of six months to one year has left the hospital in Bengaluru.
However, experts say there is no reason to worry.
There are six doses of lakh covaxin with private hospitals in Karnataka, all of which are worried that the dose will be a waste because the original six months are expiration is close.
Now, the dosage that will expire between September 2021 and June 2022 can be used anywhere from March to September next year depending on the date of manufacture.
In his communique, Bharat Biotech said the extension was approved by the Standard Control Organization Center (CDSCO), drug controller in India.
Bharat Biotech Tweeted: “CDSCO has approved the extension of the life of Covaxin to 12 months from the date of manufacture.
This saving age expansion agreement is based on the availability of additional stability data, which is submitted to CDSCO.
Extension of saving age has been communicated to our stakeholders.” But the house Pain says potential vaccine seekers can reject the dose because the label will show the old expiration date.
“Transporting bottles to change the label can damage the cold chain.
Maybe, hospitals can display certificates from companies in their place.
However, convincing people might be difficult,” said Dr.
HM Prasanna, President, Private Hospital, and Nurse House Association (Phan) .
Of the six doses of Lakh Covaxin with a private hospital, Apollo Hospitals has more than four lakh stocks.
“We have not received communication from the manufacturer so far.
Our stock ended in November,” said Dr.
Yateesh Govindaiah, head unit, Apollo Hospitals, Jayanagar.
Dr Sharan Patil, Chairman, Sparsh Hospital, who received a letter from the manufacturer, said they would seek pharmacological opinions and related experts.
Dr.
R Ravindra, who owns the Suguna Hospital, said he would prefer communication from drug controllers instead of producers.
But Dr.
Rajshekar YL, Secretary, Phana, said, “When we upload a batch number on the Cowin Portal, it shows the revised expiration date.
It shouldn’t be a problem.” Toi’s question for Bharat Biotech did not get a reply until entering.
Virologists say the extension is not a problem.
Famous virologically Dr.
T Jacob John said Covaxin was a ‘killing virus’ vaccine, which usually has a one-year shelf life.
However, Dr.
John said increasing the life of drug storage with a very rare retrospective effect.
“I think the company had previously said six months as the shelf life, because they had not tested it beyond six months.
They may have kept stock and test it further.
The problem is that Indians suspect India all the time,” said Dr.
Jacob.
He said to clean up confusion, it’s better to change the label on the bottle.
Dr.
Gagandeep Kang, a top vaccine scientist, said DCGI was the authority to extend the life of the drug and they would not do it without adequate data.
“There are some measurements based on which chart prepared indicating the level in which the active ingredient decreases vaccines from time to time.
This shows the potential for vaccines.
Extended shelf life is not new,” Dr.
Kang said.