Sydney hospital vaccine mix-up exposes 86 mothers to chickenpox
A Sydney hospital has apologised after almost 90 new mums were unwittingly given the wrong vaccination over almost five months.
Fairfield
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Almost 90 new mothers have been accidentally exposed to chickenpox after a widespread vaccine mix-up at a southwest Sydney hospital.
Eighty-six mothers who gave birth at Fairfield Hospital between December 13, 2017 and April 7, 2018 who sought vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella were incorrectly given the MMRV ProQuad vaccine, which also vaccinates against chickenpox and is only intended for children.
One of the affected new mothers who was not immune to chickenpox and is not clear of the incubation period has now been advised to watch for signs of a rash.
South West Sydney Local Health District acting director Kate Alexander said the hospital was investigating how the unprecedented error had occurred.
“None of the 86 women developed a rash after receiving the MMRV ProQuad vaccine which can sometimes appear following immunisation,” Dr Alexander said.
“This was because most were already immune against chickenpox.”
However, anyone who has not been exposed to chickenpox and is vaccinated for it is at some risk of contracting the disease.
Fairfield Hospital has contacted all the affected mothers to advise them of the mistake, allow them to update their immunisation records, and to get another chickenpox vaccine if required.
“Measures were immediately put in place at the hospital to ensure it does not happen again,” Dr Alexander said.
The MMR vaccine is routinely given to mothers after birth who do not have good protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
The Federal Government’s Health Department website fact sheet says ProQuad should only be “given to children aged 12 months to 12 years of age”.
NSW Health’s current immunisation schedule recommends the MMRV vaccine for children at 18 months after they receive the MMR vaccine at 12 months.
Adults and teenagers are instead advised to receive a separate chickenpox, or varicella, vaccine.
Parents who would like further information can contact South Western Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases at Westmead Hospital has been contacted for comment.