Hong Kong’s health authorities have issued an apology after two children were mistakenly administered the wrong vaccine at a health center. The children were given the pneumococcal vaccine instead of the intended hepatitis B shots.
The errors were discovered during a routine check at the Tin Shui Wai Maternal and Child Health Centre. Health personnel reviewed vaccination records after hours on Monday, finding discrepancies in the number of vaccines administered between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
The records revealed that while seven children were scheduled to receive the hepatitis B vaccine, two doses were left unused, and two additional doses of the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) were given instead. Following an inventory check, the Department of Health confirmed that the error was due to mistakes made by nursing staff.
In response to the incident, a department spokesman said, “The Department of Health has instructed all Maternal and Child Health Centres to enhance training for frontline staff. They are now required to strictly adhere to internal guidelines for verifying vaccine and patient details, as well as cross-checking the information with the accompanying adult to prevent future occurrences.”
The staff involved in the error have been suspended from vaccination duties while an internal investigation is conducted. If any misconduct is confirmed, the department noted that the case would be handled in accordance with established procedures, which could include referral to the Nursing Council for further action.
The department also reassured the public that consultations with pediatricians suggested no health risk to the affected children. Preliminary investigations revealed that the children who received the incorrect vaccine ranged in age from one month to seven months.
The health authorities have apologized to the parents of the seven children and arranged for immediate examinations by pediatricians. The children will also be given the missing hepatitis B vaccine doses at an appropriate time.
Under Hong Kong’s Childhood Immunisation Programme, infants typically receive their first hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, followed by the second and third doses at one month and six months of age, respectively. The pneumococcal vaccine is usually administered at two and four months, with a booster shot at one year.
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