AstraZeneca vaccines are not fake – Ministry of Health clarifies.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has watered down allegations made yesterday on Whatsapp circulating a bottle of AstraZeneca vaccine to mislead the population about the shelf life of the vaccines.

The Senior Public Relations Officer at the MoH, Emmanuel Ainebyoona clarified that 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. The Ministry of Health through the National Drug Authority always ensures that the vaccines and drugs imported into the country are safe and effective,” Ainebyoona noted.

Ainebyoona told 97.7 Record FM that because the allegations were made yesterday (Thursday), the Ministry will soon ascertain what impact this has had in the vacination exercise.

He urged the public to note that all Covid vaccines have only 6 months between manufacturing and expiry which the Ministry expects all to be used before they expire, 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,” he further clarified.

However, Ainebyoona said that the Sinovac Vaccines have a shelf life of 24 months.