After mixing up two vaccines in November 2022 at the Rif-Rehhof primary school in Hallein, a person from the medical service is now being investigated for negligent bodily harm. According to the public prosecutor’s office, parents of an affected child have filed a report with the police.
On November 8, instead of a quadruple booster vaccination against polio, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, an active ingredient against human papillomavirus (HPV) was used. 33 children in a second class were affected by the confusion.
Vaccine recommended for children nine years and older
Extensive medical advice was given to the parents of these children on how to proceed, the state of Salzburg said at the time. The vaccine against HPV (“Gardasil9”) is generally recommended from the age of nine, so in this case administered one to two years early and therefore off-label.
State medical director Petra Gruber-Juhasz had explained that, according to experts, there would be no evidence of an increased health risk in such a case. She spoke of an unfortunate isolated case.
Due to the standardized processes, mix-ups are normally very unlikely. The fact that it happened, probably had to do with the fact that on that Tuesday it was planned to vaccinate older school children against HPV at the same time.
Witnesses are questioned
Based on the report of the parents of an affected child, the public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation against a doctor. The exact facts have yet to be determined, said prosecutor Elena Haslinger. Witnesses and the suspect should also be questioned.
Source: Krone
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