MAKKAH — A large amount of spoiled vaccines were found in several stores in Makkah, officials said. According to official documents, spoiled vaccines were discovered in Sharaih Al-Mujahideen Health Center last month, Makkah daily reported. The vaccines were stored at 30 degrees Celsius, rendering them useless. The vaccines found included 80 doses of tuberculosis vaccine, 150 doses of rotavirus vaccine, 250 doses of coccus vaccine, 100 doses of hepatitis A vaccine, and 50 doses of the 6-in-1 vaccine (DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib). The vaccines were scheduled to be distributed for a vaccination campaign at a primary school but they were quickly retracted and destroyed. According to a report issued by Makkah Health Care and Preventive Medicine, expired vaccines were discovered at the health center in Al-Zahir district. The vaccines found included 100,000 doses of menactra vaccine and 900 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine. Assistant to the chief of Makkah Public Health Dr. Fadil Tarabulsi said the department had asked the Ministry of Health to utilize two storage rooms in the city's main health center to store vaccines properly and under suitable temperatures. According to Tarabulsi, the ministry rejected the request, which led to the vaccines being spoiled. “There is no reason to worry though. There are expert committees dedicated to testing and examining all vaccines before their distribution. The supply and distribution department should also ensure that all vaccines have been examined before distribution,” said Tarabulsi.
