COVID-19 Vaccine Vial Once Opened Needs To Be Used Fully Within Four Hours: Doctors

Once opened for inoculation, a vial of COVID-19 vaccine needs to be completely used within four hours, otherwise, the remaining doses will be wasted and need to be discarded, senior doctors said on Tuesday.

The first batch of Oxford COVID-19 Covishield vaccine had arrived at Delhi’s Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital (RGSSH) central storage facility on 12 January.

The lot of Bharat Biotech-made Covaxin had reached there the next day, which is being used at six sites, including AIIMS and RML Hospital.

RGSSH is also one of the 75 locations where physicians, nurses and other beneficiaries are given Covishield shots. On day one, forty-five shots were given, and on day two, 20.

“There are 10 doses in each 5 ml vial of the vaccine. And once opened, all 10 doses must be consumed within four hours, otherwise, it is waste, and the remaining doses must be destroyed,” RGSSH spokesperson Chhavi Gupta said.

Four vials were completely used on the first day when 45 people were vaccinated at the hospital, while the fifth had five leftover doses that went to waste, she said.

Government Sent 10% Extra Doses Into Stock

India is carrying out a mega COVID-19 Vaccination Drive that was initiated on 16 January Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

4,319 healthcare staff were vaccinated on day one, and 3,598 people were vaccinated on day two (Monday) at 81 sites in the national capital.

According to senior doctors who are part of this major immunisation exercise, there are strict guidelines for storage, transportation and use of the vaccine.

BL Sherwal, RGSSH Medical Director, a dedicated COVID facility until recently, said the government sent 10% extra doses into the stock to reduce certain wastage and other related factors.

“In the morning, we can wait for 10 people to arrive at the centre and then a vial can be opened so that it gets fully consumed. But, as the day progresses, people may come in insufficient number, but the doses have to be given, so, the scope for wastage,” he said.

RGSSH spokesman said earlier that on January 12, 22 boxes, each containing 1,200 vials of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, were delivered to the hospital. And, on January 13, 20,000 doses of Covaxin had just arrived.

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