Expiry date interpretation:
The "Expiry Date" printed on packaging and shown in ImmsBC, reflects the Manufacturer's Expiry Date, the time period during which the product is known to remain stable, retaining its strength, quality, and purity when it is stored according to its labeled primary storage conditions (e.g. ultra-frozen temperatures.)
When specified as a day/month/year, the product expires at the end of the day of expiry. This means it may be administered up until the last minute of the labelled expiry day within the time zone of use (e.g., a product expiring on April 1, 2022, may be used until 11:59 pm on April 1, 2022).
Use By Date
The “Use By Date” function in ImmsBC can be utilized to highlight revised product expiration dates after a state change (e.g. thawing) or repackaging. The “Use By Date” can be set when confirming a vaccine shipment or anytime subsequently by going into the pharmacy supply container and clicking the down arrow on the far right of each lot number’s row. A “Use By Date” edit box will appear.
Handling of expired stock
- Remove expired vaccines from the refrigerator and clearly label/mark not to be used.
- Do a thorough inventory of the numbers of expired doses (including partial vials).
- Dispose of the vaccines using your regular biomedical waste disposal procedures for vaccines.
- Discard vaccine packaging/cartons to prevent re-use and counterfeit efforts.
- Record inventory wasted in the ImmsBC system.
Product specific expiration updates:
Moderna expiry extension, October 17, 2023
An expiry date extension has been authorized for certain lots of SPIKEVAX XBB.1.5 (andusomeran mRNA vaccine) COVID-19 vaccine (DIN: 02541270). The three lots shown in the table below may remain in use for 3 months beyond the printed expiry date on the vial label. This is the manufacturer’s expiry date when vaccine is stored in its primary condition (i.e., at frozen temperature).
Please note: Moderna Spikevax XBB 1.5 lot # 023G23A, with the printed expiry date of 4-Aug-24, has NOT been revised. Its expiry date remains 4-Aug-24.
Unpunctured Moderna vaccine has a 30-day shelf life (“use by date”) once it has been thawed and stored in refrigerated conditions at 2˚ to 8˚C. This date is provided by the distributor on the shipment packaging. Note that the “use by date” function in ImmsBC can be set when confirming a shipment. For further information see here.