In Nigeria, about one million COVID-19 vaccines have expired without being used, a report quoting two sources has said.
According to the report, AstraZeneca made and delivered the expired doses from Europe. The vaccine was provided through COVAX, the dose-sharing facility led by the GAVI vaccine alliance and the WHO, which depends increasingly on donations.
Some of the doses arrived within four to six weeks of their expiry date and could not be used in time despite the efforts of health officials.
The report said that a count of expired doses is still being conducted, and an official number has not yet been determined.
According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency – the body responsible for vaccinations in Nigeria – the number of vaccines received and used is still being tallied and the organization will reveal its findings in the coming days.
WHO confirmed the doses had expired, but refused to give a figure. It said 800,000 additional doses, which were due to expire in October, have all been used.
Several European countries, including Germany and Switzerland have been wasting vaccines, too. In January, officials in Britain predicted the wastage of about 10% of vaccines. The French health minister informed local media in April that 25% of AstraZeneca vaccines, 20% of Moderna vaccines, and 7% of Pfizer vaccines were being wasted.
