Vietnam extends Cuban Covid vaccine expiry date

The Ministry of Health on Monday stated the Drug Administration of Vietnam has decided to extend the vaccine’s expiry date based on the latest data verified by experts.

“The expiry date extension does not affect the vaccine’s quality, safety and effectiveness,” the ministry said.

It has not been confirmed how many imported Abdala vaccine doses have had their expiry dates extended. The health ministry has also not announced exactly how many Abdala vaccine shots have been given in Vietnam.

By Feb. 20, over 5.1 million Abdala Covid-19 vaccine doses had been received and distributed by the health ministry, it confirmed.

The Abdala Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Cuba, has been approved for emergency use since October 2021. A full course of the vaccine, intended to be given to those aged 19-65, would entail three shots, each spaced 14 days apart.

Late last year, the Drug Administration of Vietnam also extended the expiry date of nine Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine batches to nine months in accordance with recommendations from manufacturers.

So far 70.8 million people have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot in Vietnam. A total 67.2 million have received their second shots and 38.4 million, their third.