The government will expand the vaccine bubble starting on the 24th of next month, and the demand for vaccination has thus greatly increased.
One of the private clinics participating in the pilot scheme to provide Fubitai vaccine is suspected to have vaccinated citizens with expired vaccines. The Department of Health said today that it is investigating and following up the Xindu Integrated Medical Center at Shop G3, G3, Xinbeijiang Shopping Mall, Kingswood Villas, Tin Shui Wai ( Tin Shui Wai) vaccinated 36 members of the public with the Forbidden vaccine beyond the recommended use date.
Some experts said that the storage requirements of Fubitai are very high, including low temperature, vibration control, storage time, etc., and they must be "treated with great care". One day of expiration is considered a long time. It will reduce the effectiveness of protection, and the worst case is "equal to no hit". It is recommended that the affected citizens can test the antibody level by blood test.
[Extended reading] 01 News | Tin Shui Wai Xindu Medical Center has expired Fubitai about 30 citizens affected
At present, eight private healthcare institutions are piloting a pilot scheme for the provision of Fubitx vaccination services.
One of the participating projects, the "Xindu Medical Center" located at Shop G3, G3, Xinbeijiang Shopping Centre, Kingswood Villas, Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, revealed yesterday (11th) that it had vaccinated citizens with expired Fubitai vaccine, and about 30 people were affected.
According to the Department of Health, the expiry time ranges from a few hours to as long as two days.
Xindu Medical Group responded to the incident that it had been handed over to the Department of Health for follow-up.
The Department of Health stated this afternoon that the department received a notification from the above-mentioned medical center on January 6 that on January 2 and 44 this year, 12 and 24 citizens were vaccinated on the 31st and 33rd days of the thaw (i.e. more than recommended). hours and two days after the use date).
According to the vaccine manufacturer's recommendations, Fubitux vaccine should be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius after thawing and used within 31 days.
After receiving the notification, the Department of Health inspected the medical center and found that the medical center had stored the vaccines at a suitable temperature and environment in accordance with the guidelines.
Upon learning of the incident, the DH immediately contacted Fosun Pharma for information on the safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine.
According to Fosun's reply, there is no data to show any adverse reactions due to the use of vaccines beyond the relevant shelf life.
The DH has also learned about the stability data of the vaccine two months after thawing, which is to be further confirmed by the pharmaceutical company.
Department of Health: Two citizens with gastrointestinal discomfort and one person seeking treatment in the A&E department
The department has requested the relevant medical centres to follow up on the health status of the 36 affected citizens. Two of them reported gastrointestinal discomfort, one is recovering after seeking treatment in the A&E department, and the other is currently hospitalized for observation. stability.
The rest of the public did not report discomfort.
The Department of Health has also consulted local experts, and the preliminary assessment is that the vaccination is effective. However, out of prudence, affected citizens are advised to undergo antibody level tests after completing the entire course of the vaccine to determine the effectiveness.
The department will arrange referral specialists to follow up the affected persons.
Cui Junming, President of the Hong Kong Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
(file picture)
Cui Junming, president of the Hong Kong Society of Hospital Pharmacists, said that the COVID-19 vaccine, Fubitix, is a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology, which requires high storage requirements, including low temperature, vibration control, and storage time. It must be handled carefully so as not to affect its stability. sex.
He pointed out that the one-day expiry date of the vaccine is a long time, but it will not cause side effects and cause life-threatening. "It will not become harmful or toxic."
However, an expired vaccine will reduce the effectiveness of protection, weaken the immune response, reduce neutralizing antibodies, and at worst "equal to no fight."
He suggested that the affected citizens should have a blood test to test the antibody level, and if the antibody is insufficient, they can make up the test after one month.
▼List of 12 infected households (as of 1.11)▼
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