WHO exec: donated COVID-19 vaccines with short shelf life 'major problem'

Pfizer

09/12/2021 09:55

GENEVA, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Wealthy countries donating
COVID-19 vaccines with a relatively short shelf life has been a
"major problem" for the COVAX dose sharing programme, a senior
official at the World Health Organization said on Thursday.
    Kate O'Brien, the WHO's vaccine director, said in a briefing
the proportion of wasted doses is smaller in countries receiving
doses through COVAX than in many high-income countries.    
    Her comments come as concerns grow that many African
countries are finding they do not have the capacity to get shots
in arms before they expire.
    Reuters reported on Tuesday that up to 1 million vaccines
are estimated to have expired in Nigeria last month without
being used, one of the biggest single losses of doses that shows
the difficulty African nations have getting shots in arms.
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 (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva;
Writing by Josephine Mason in London; Editing by Alison
Williams)
 ((Josephine.Mason@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 7695; Reuters
Messaging: josephine.mason.reuters.com@reuters.net))