The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the extension of Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin’s shelf life up to 12 months from the date of manufacture, the vaccine-maker said.
This approval of shelf life extension is based on the availability of additional stability data, which was submitted to CDSCO. With the shelf life extension, hospitals can now utilise the stock to avoid vaccine wastage, a press release said.
“Health care workers do not have to worry about opening a vial and its wastage. If patients are not available, they can simply store the opened vial at 2 to 8°C, and use it the next day or store it for up to 28 days,” Bharat Biotech said.
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On its multi-dose vial policy, the vaccine maker said that the 20 dose vial saves money for procurement agencies by reducing the cold chain logistics and management. “Thereby reducing the carbon footprint, costs related to open vial wastage, cold chain distribution, cold chain storage, biomedical waste disposal etc,” it said.
Bharat Biotech has completed Phase 2 and 3 trials of Covaxin for children in the age group 2 to 18 years. The data has been submitted to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the final approval is awaited. On approval, children will also have access to the jab.
(With inputs from agencies)
