The Ministry of Health has reacted to a vial/ bottle of the AstraZeneca Vaccine being circulated on WhatsApp to mislead the population about the the shelf life of the vaccines.

The Ministry of Health would like to clarify as follows; The AstraZeneca vaccines being administered are valid and have a shelf life of up to 30th September, 2021.

This specific batch of the AstraZeneca Vaccine arrived in the country in August, 2021.

“Please note that all Covid vaccines have only 6 months between manufacturing and expiry and we expect all of them to be used before they expiry, given the quantities supplied and the huge demand in districts.”

“The expiry date usually means that you should not take the medicine after the end of the month given. For example, if the expiry date is July 2020, you should not take the medicine after 31 July 2020.”

The Sinovac Vaccines have a shelf life of 24 months

The Ministry  of Health  through  the National  Drug Authority always ensures that the vaccines  and drugs imported into the country  are safe and effective.