FDA assures public AstraZeneca vaccine jab meets specifications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assured the public that each jab of AstraZeneca vaccine provided to the public is 0.5 millilitre as specified in the drug registration document.
“There have been some concerns that the jab of AstraZeneca vaccine might be lower than the required amount. The FDA ensures that every jab will strictly meet the standard of 0.5ml of vaccine,” FDA secretary-general Dr Paisan Dankhum said on Friday.
“Each vial will be labelled as consisting of 5ml of vaccine and is meant for 10 jabs. However, in reality the manufacturers have put in about 6.5ml of vaccine per vial to make up for any spillage that might occur when the vaccine is drawn up in the syringe,” said Paisan.
“If there is some leftover vaccine in the vial after 10 doses have been given, the World Health Organization has said it can be given to additional patients as long as the leftover amount meets the standard of 0.5ml per jab. However, mixing leftover vaccine from different vials is prohibited,” added Paisan.
The FDA chief advised people to drink a lot of water and ensure they have rested adequately before getting vaccinated.
“In case of fever, headache, or muscle ache at the injection area, recipients can take paracetamol to reduce the pain,” he added.