COVID-19: Let FDA re-examine new vaccines being procured - GMA tells govt
The Ghana Medical Association says the FDA must ensure the vaccines meet the required standards before they are administered.
Jonas Danquah 
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on government to ensure that the incoming doses of COVID-19 vaccines are well scrutinized by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)
The Association made this call on the back off fears that the vaccines may have expired.
The General Secretary of the GMA, Justice Yankson, said on Eyewitness News that the FDA must ensure the vaccines meet the required standards before they are administered.
“Vaccines generally have a short shelf life, and it is no different with this as well. In fact, the first one that we got through the COVAX facility in March was also due to expire around June 24 so clearly, this may be just about the same batch that we have received.”
“So for me, there is no problem, but there are certain protocols that we need to make sure have been observed. We must make sure, in terms of standards, that the FDA does what it does best to ensure that the drugs, when they arrive here, are safe for use.” he noted as quoted by pulsegh.
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Mr. Yankson blamed the delays on developments in countries involved in the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
“I would not say it is becoming problematic, but the truth is, it is always good to have the ambition to vaccinate your population within the shortest possible time. What has happened is that we have a lot of geopolitical activities around the COVID-19 vaccine. A bit also seems to be coming from industry and standard requirements. Raw materials also seem to be in short supply.”
“Unfortunately in India where vaccines were supposed to be produced and distributed to COVAX countries, they are being ravaged by the virus. Their case count is on a record high. There has been a shortage of raw materials and the country has also decided that they are better off vaccinating their people rather than exporting to other countries.”
