The Ugandan Parliament has been told that National Medical Stores (NMS) delivered expired COVID-19 vaccines to the different parts of the country.
During plenary sitting on Thursday, Erute South MP Jonathan Odur, informed parliament that he has seen the expired Astra Zeneca vaccines in 4ml bottles which were delivered by national medical stores at different vaccination centers in his area.
Hon Odur also claims that the programmes officer in the Ministry of Health has directed that the vaccines should be used despite the expiry.
“Right Honorable Speaker, NMS delivered COVID-19 vaccines to a number of vaccination centers in the country specifically AstraZeneca packed in the 4ML bottles LOTPV46709, with Expiry date written as EXP08/2021 and 09/2021 in effect, these vaccines have already expired” Hon Jonathan said.
Hon Odur claims that the lot in question is part of the consignment that Uganda received as a donation from Sweden through COVAX facility.
Jonathan Odur informed parliament that the dangers of using the expired drugs or vaccines cannot be overstated and he urgently wants parliament to intervene and stop the ongoing vaccination exercise and the vaccines recalled.
Hon Odur implored parliament to direct the Ministry of Health to halt the nationwide vaccination campaign and also direct the National Medical Stores to recall the specific lot of expired vaccines and destroy them.
He also wants government to stop accepting donations of COVID-19 vaccines which have three months remaining to expire noting that by the time they reach the vaccination centers they are already expired.
“I also pray that countries that are donating to us should donate vaccines which have life in them not the ones that are under three months” He added.
On behalf of the government, the Minister of Informational and National guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi told parliament that government is going the matter and find out if the vaccines delivered to some vaccination centers are already expired.
Hon Byaryomunsi also told the house that government through the Ministry of Health is always conscious with the shelf life whenever they are receiving any donation of vaccines with much attention on the manufacturing date and the expiry date.
“It is a bit strange that someone could have allowed vaccines whose shelf life is expiring or is very short as the Honorable has said” Baryomunsi said.
He said that vaccine and drug safety is emphasized before government accepts any vaccine or drug, and that if it is found out that the vaccines being used are expired, they will immediately withdraw it.
The NMS Spokesperson Sheila Nduhukyire dispelled the claims by the MP saying it is not true and the vaccines being used in the country are not expired as claimed.
Ms Nduhukyire said the said it is unfortunate that the Honorable MP is misleading the country since the expiry date of September 2021 as advanced by the legislator indicates that the vaccines are still safe.