The Centre has asked states and UTs to consider exchange of near expiry Covid-19 vaccine vials available at private vaccination centres with long expiry vaccine doses stocked with government facilities to ensure there is no wastage.

Additional Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Vikas Sheel recently wrote to states and UTs on the issue of near expiry vaccines available at private Covid vaccination centres (CVCs). Earlier also directions were issued to West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra in this regard. It has also been communicated to all states that regular review is to be carried out on the status of Covid vaccines, if available, with private CVCs.