Extraordinary hospital bungle leaves Australians unvaccinated after they were given incorrect doses of the Pfizer jab
- Administration bungle will see 159 people required to get another vaccination
- Incident unfolded on July 21 at Rockhampton Hospital in Central Queensland
- Up to six patients at the hospital received an ‘ultra low’ dose of the Pfizer jab
- It is impossible to pinpoint the six cases out of the dozens who were vaccinated
More than 150 Australians will need to be vaccinated again because they could have received a diluted Pfizer dose.
The embarrassing bungle unfolded at Queensland’s Rockhampton Hospital on July 21, with up to six people receiving an ultra-low dose of the jab following an ‘administrative error.’
It is impossible to pinpoint the exact time at which the error occurred last week, so all who attended that day will be called back to receive another jab.
Authorities assured the patients that there is no risk to those who will end up getting three jabs instead of two as a result.
Each vial of Pfizer vaccine contains enough for six doses once mixed with saline solution, but in this case one of the vials was diluted twice rather than once.
More than 150 Australians will need to be vaccinated again after they were potentially given an incorrect Pfizer dose at Rockhampton Hospital (pictured) on July 21
Chief health officer Jeannette Young (pictured) was quick to stress the error was not a safety concern for those who received the six jabs – but conceded the unknown half dozen people were not adequately vaccinated
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Steve Williamson apologised for the error and ‘any distress caused’ (pictured a man receiving a Covid vaccine)
‘An initial review of the incident has indicated the most plausible cause of the error was a vial of the Pfizer vaccine – that creates six injections before being diluted with saline a second time – was not properly disposed of once prepared,’ Queensland Health said in a statement.
‘This was not in line with standard workflow processes.’
Chief health officer Jeannette Young was quick to stress the error was not a safety concern for those who received the six jabs – but conceded the unknown half dozen people were not adequately vaccinated.
‘To ensure full vaccination of all 159 people, everyone who received a vaccination that day (July 21) will be offered a new appointment to receive a repeat dose,’ she said.
‘It essentially means these people will be getting an early booster shot of Pfizer.’
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Steve Williamson apologised for the error and ‘any distress caused’, before adding the focus will be ‘working with each individual on what option is best for them.’
‘A thorough analysis last weekend was unable to identify which six (patients) may have received the ultra-low doses, which is why we will offer everyone a repeat dose,’ he said.
‘It is also important to note there is no known clinical risk of receiving a third dose of Pfizer or receiving it between the three to six week mark.’
On Wednesday, Queensland recorded 20 new cases of Covid-19 and one new case of community transmission.
Out of the 20 cases, 19 cases were from a vessel from the Philippines.
Health authorities tested the ship’s 21-member crew, with 19 crew members testing positive.
The Panama-flagged MV Sanyu left Manila just over a fortnight ago, with those infected now recovering in hospital.