DH investigates incident of RCHE and RCHD administering COVID-19 vaccines beyond recommended use-by date
The Department of Health (DH) today (July 23) is investigating an incident involving a private doctor participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme who administered COVID-19 vaccines that exceeded the recommended use-by date to 21 residents and staff of a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) and a residential care home for persons with disabilities (RCHD). The relevant COVID-19 vaccines have not exceeded their expiry dates, and none of the affected individuals reported feeling ill. The DH has requested that the two affected institutions and the doctor concerned take immediate remedial action to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents and to closely monitor the health conditions of the affected persons. The concerned doctor's vaccination service under the Vaccination Schemes has been suspended.
Upon reviewing the vaccine orders and vaccination records, the DH found thatthe doctor concerned visited Oi Tak Old People's Home Limited, an RCHE in Yuen Long, on June 14, July 7 and July 9 to provide vaccination services. During these visits, he administered Spikevax JN.1 COVID-19 vaccines that were beyond the recommended use-by date to 18 residents. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the vaccine should be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius after thawing and should be used within 30 days.
Upon further investigation, the DH found that the doctor concerned had also provided vaccination services at an RCHD, named Quality Rehabilitation Home, in Kwai Tsing District on March 26. During the visit, he administered Spikevax JN.1 COVID-19 vaccines that were beyond the recommended use-by date to a resident and two staff members.
The DH is highly concerned about the incident and has taken immediate actions to follow up on the health conditions of the affected persons. It has been confirmed that none of the affected residents or staff at the RCHE or the RCHD suffered from adverse events as a result of the vaccination. The DH has sought information from the vaccine manufacturer on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine under the above circumstances. Taking into account the history of COVID-19 vaccination and infection of the affected persons, the DH advised that there is no need for the affected individuals to be revaccinated. The DH has instructed the doctor in question to monitor the health conditions of the affected residents. At the request of the DH, the visiting doctor will explain the incident to the affected persons or their relatives and discuss subsequent arrangements.
Meanwhile, the DH has inspected the RCHE and the RCHD concerned to check the storage of vaccines and vaccination procedures. To avoid the recurrence of similar incidents, the staff have been urged to follow the requirements of regular checking of the recommended use-by date of the vaccines, separate storage of vaccines with different recommended use-by dates, and timely disposal of expired vaccines in accordance with the guidelines of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
The DH has suspended the vaccination service of the doctor concerned under the Vaccination Schemes and will continue to follow up on whether the two institutions concerned have complied with the relevant guidelines of the DH. If any person is found to have breached the guidelines or the terms and conditions of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, the DH will handle the case according to established procedures.
Source: AI-found images
