Abdala is used for people aged 19-65, with three doses and an interval of 14 days. — Photo AFP/VNA

 HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health has announced the extension of an additional three months to the shelf-life of Cuba’s Abdala vaccine against COVID-19.

On October 8, 2021, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 4749/QD-BYT on conditional approval of the Abdala vaccine for urgent needs in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the producer’s instructions for use, the shelf life is six months at storage conditions of two to eight degrees Celsius.

Like other COVID-19 vaccines, the Abdala vaccine is researched and approved on a rolling basis, meaning it is approved for completed portions while the manufacturer continues doing research on others.

According to the Health Ministry's statement on Monday, based on additional studies assessing the stability related to the vaccine's shelf life, Việt Nam’s specialised agencies have considered and appraised it.

Specifically, on February 23, the Drug Administration of Việt Nam agreed to increase the shelf life of the Abdala vaccine from six months to nine months at storage conditions of two to eight degrees Celsius.

The Ministry of Health affirmed that increasing the shelf life of the Abdala vaccine would not change the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

On September 17, the ministry approved conditions for the emergency use of Cuba's Abdala vaccine in the pandemic fight.

Abdala is used for people aged 19-65, with three doses and an interval of 14 days.

Early this month, the ministry urged the completion of using the Abdala vaccine against COVID-19 in February in 11 provinces across Việt Nam.

In October and November last year, 2021, 5 million vaccine doses were allocated to localities. However, as of January 28, 541,400 doses had not been used. — VNS