Erute South MP Jonathan Odur has raised concern over the distribution of expired AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccines by the National Medical Stores to different vaccination centres in his area.
Odur informed parliament that he has seen the expired vaccine of AstraZeneca type that is packed in 4 ml bottles which were delivered by National Medical Stores at different vaccination centers in his area.
He has asked parliament to prevail over the Ministry of Health to halt the process of vaccinating people with expired vaccines and to direct the National Medical Stores to recall all the expired vaccines and destroy them saying that the dangers of using the expired drugs or vaccines cannot be over stated.
He also wants government to stop accepting donations of covid19 vaccine which are remaining with three months to expire noting that by the time they reach the vaccination centers sometimes they are already expired.
In response the Minister of Information and National Guidance Dr. Chris Balyomunsi told parliament that they are going to investigate the matter to find out if the vaccines delivered to some vaccination centers are already expired.
He also told the house that whenever they are receiving any donation of vaccines they are usually cautious with the shelf life which means they put too much attention on the manufacturing and the expiry dates before they accept any vaccine or drug and that if they find that the vaccine is expired they will withdraw it from the centers.
