More than 150 Queenslanders will need a third jab after a “possible administration error” led to a handful of recipients receiving an ultra-low dosage of the Pfizer jab.
Up to six people received the inadequate supply of the vital jab at the Rockhampton Hospital, but Queensland Health said it was impossible to know who these recipients were, meaning all 159 from that day will need to return and get another shot.
Before the jab is administered, a vial of Pfizer is diluted with saline to allow it to provide six injections, but a second portion of saline was added to a dosage last Wednesday.
“It is not possible to pinpoint or narrow the timeframe beyond the day of the vaccination in which the event occurred, as there is no ability to trace which vial was used to vaccinate which patient,” Queensland Health said in a statement.
“All vials used that day had the same batch number.”
Chief health officer Jeannette Young said the error was not a safety concern for those who received the six jabs, but half a dozen of those who attended the hospital on July 22 “may not be fully vaccinated”.
“Of those 159, 55 were there for their first dose and 104 were there for their second dose,” the top doctor said.
“To ensure full vaccination of all 159 people, everyone who received a vaccination that day will be offered a new appointment to receive a repeat dose.
“It essentially means these people will be getting an early booster shot of Pfizer.”
– James Hall, NCA NewsWire
