Thai FDA finds 110 bottles of Sinovac vaccine turn gel from unfitting storage

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Around 110 bottles of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine have been found to contain a lump of transparent gel, which did not go away after being shaken while it is believed to be caused by the vaccine being stored at an inappropriate temperature, according to Thailand’s FDA.

According to Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), around 110 bottles of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine have been found to contain a lump of transparent gel, which did not go away after being shaken. It is believed to be caused by the vaccine being stored at an inappropriate temperature.



The bottles in question were found at some vaccination sites and have been returned to the TFDA, which has called for the suspension of the administration of any bottles of Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine which are found to contain lumps and notification of such discoveries.



The TFDA has sent a letter, dated yesterday (Monday), informing all provincial health offices and hospitals across the country, administering Sinovac vaccine, to beware of the C202105079 batch, produced on May 10th and which expires on November 9th, and that it may contain a gel-like substance.


The recommended storage temperature for CoronaVac is 2-8oC, said TFDA Secretary-General Dr. Paisal Dunkhum. The organization has recommended storage of the Sinovac vaccine in the middle section of the refrigerator, away from the evaporator fan.

10.5 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine have been delivered from China to Thailand to date, with millions more expected to be received this and next year. It remains the most widely administered vaccine in the country.

A total of 4.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been delivered so far, as well as 1 million doses of Sinopharm from China.