When we say that the vaccines have expired, they have not expired in terms of factory quality, but because their emergency-use authorization has expired
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry has extended the validity period of 18 million vaccines that were set to expire in March this year as they are still in good quality though their emergency-use authorization has expired.

"When we say that the vaccines have expired, they have not expired in terms of factory quality, but because their emergency-use authorization has expired," the ministry's spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi said here on Monday.

COVID-19 vaccines are new products that have passed through three stages of clinical trials to obtain emergency-use authorization (EUA) from the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), she informed.

EUA cannot be provided for a long period of time because it requires an intensive and periodic safety evaluation by BPOM, she explained.

However, in accordance with vaccine producers' provisions based on internal quality control measures, it has been determined that the vaccine expiration period can last up to 24 months.

"For instance, in the label section on Sinovac and AstraZeneca (vaccines), it is stated that their expiration period can last until 24 months. Quick and emergency authorization in Indonesia cannot be given for a long period of time," she noted.

In the early stage of EUA, vaccines can only be distributed within three months, Tarmizi said.

However, with the increasing number of people receiving vaccines, BPOM can observe the side effects to evaluate their safety.

"BPOM can carry out evaluation for the period that lasted three months. Several of these vaccine types can be extended to six months and, even after long period of time, to nine months," she elaborated.

BPOM periodically evaluates the safety of vaccines to prevent adverse side effects in recipients, the spokesperson noted.

Last week, the government extended the validity period of around 18 million COVID-19 vaccines.

They comprise leftover vaccine doses that have not been administered to the target population.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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