Expired BioNTech Jabs Given To 45 People: Govt

The Department of Health (DH) said on Friday that two medical centres under a company called EC Healthcare had given expired BioNTech jabs to 45 people, but it has so far not received reports of people feeling unwell.

The department said it was notified that the centres in Central and Taikoo had administered doses of the vaccine between July 26 and Thursday – six to 61 days after the suggested use-by date of the jabs.

Officials stressed the BioNTech vaccine should be used within 31 days after thawing, as suggested by the manufacturer.

“Upon receiving the report, the DH has conducted an inspection to the two medical centres and immediately reminded the staff members to store vaccines with different use-by dates separately, check regularly the suggested use-by date of the vaccines and handle the expired vaccines in accordance with the DH's guideline at appropriate time,” the department said in a statement.

It added that it has consulted the vaccine’s distributor, Fosun Pharma, and was told there’s no information showing adverse reaction had resulted from using the vaccine over the thawing period.

“The DH has consulted local expert and the initial assessment is that no re-vaccination is needed for the affected persons,” the statement wrote.