Serious concerns have been raised in the health sector, after a decision was taken to discard the last quantities in vials of the COVISHIELD AstraZeneca vaccine, under the current vaccination programme.
According to the Sunday Times, the decision has resulted in an estimated 18,000 doses being discarded.
Despite the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and other experts urging that an extra dose could be extracted from each vial, a decision has been taken to discard it.
The last quantities of the 18,000 vaccine vials, which could have reportedly been utilized to vaccinate at least 18,000 people, may have already been thrown out.
Pointing out that each vial contains at least 10 doses, the NMRA has informed the Health Ministry it is normal for liquid to remain in the vial after withdrawing the 10th dose.
In a letter to the Health Ministry, the NMRA explained that this was caused due to the use of low dead volume syringes or needles.
The NMRA further said the amount remaining in the vial may be sufficient for an additional dose or two and that can be used.
Clinicians skilled at vaccinations have claimed that confusion over the process of drawing the liquid from the vial, ability of skilled administrators to draw the liquid, and instructions to strictly adhere to the manufacturers conditions have resulted in such wastage.
Sri Lanka’s decision to discard the last quantities of the vaccine vials comes, at a time when the United Kingdom has indicated that the Head of Immunisation at Public Health England has stated that it is possible to get an extra dose out of vials of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has informed its health sector that the UK’s drug regulator held the same view.
The European Medicines Agency has also recommended how six doses may be extracted from a single vial. (NewsWire)
