Woman, 94, and man, 88, are given ‘FOUR times the recommended dose’ of Covid vaccine in jab bungle at a nursing home in Queensland – leaving one under observation in hospital
- Two people have been given four times recommended dose of the Pfizer vaccine
- Man, 88, and woman, 94, are residents at Holy Spirit Nursing Home Carseldine
- The pair have not yet suffered any adverse effects from the additional dosage
Two elderly people have been given four times the recommended dose of the Covid vaccine in a jab bungle in Queensland.
An 94-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man were given more than the prescribed amount of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday – the second day of Australia’s Covid vaccination rollout.
The pair, who are residents at the Holy Spirit Nursing Home Carseldine in Brisbane, suffered no adverse effects from receiving the additional doses. However, the 88-year-old man is in hospital as a precaution.
The pair are residents at the Holy Spirit Nursing Home Carseldine in Brisbane
The doctor who administered the jab is contracted by the Federal Government and he has since stood down from the program.
Minister for Health Greg Hunt addressed the nation’s vaccine rollout and Brisbane bungle on Wednesday morning.
‘There has been one case, following all the safeguards we put in place, of what has been defined as an adverse administration,’ he said.
‘Basically, a doctor gave an incorrect dose to two patients yesterday. I think it’s very important that we’re up-front.
Two elderly people have been given an ‘excessive amount’ of the Covid vaccine in a jab bungle in Queensland. Pictured: Medical workers prepare the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the Hyatt quarantine hotel in Perth on Monday
‘The safeguards that were put in place immediately kicked into action.’
The two elderly patients continued to be monitored following the bungle.
Mr Hunt said a nurse on the scene identified that a higher than the prescribed amount of the dose was given to the two patients.
The health minister said they would review the event and circumstances surrounding the error.
‘But the most important thing is that we engage in the transparency,’ Mr Hunt said.
Mr Hunt said the latest advice – which he was given five minutes before the press conference – was that the pair had not experienced an adverse reaction.
An 94-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man were given more than the prescribed amount of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday – the second day of Australia’s Covid vaccination rollout. Pictured: Health signage is seen at Gold Coast University Hospital on February 22
‘It is in line with the fact that significantly higher doses were used as parts of clinical trials around the world,’ he said.
‘The rollout continues. There will be cases. There will be challenges.’
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly noted that other countries, including Germany and the UK, have experienced similar bungles in their coronavirus vaccine rollout at aged care facilities.
‘The side effect profile was minimal particularly in the older people. That gives us hope,’ he said.
It’s understood the Pfizer vial contains enough for around about six doses.
Medical workers prepare the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the Hyatt quarantine hotel in Perth on Monday