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Hong Kong, DH investigating expired seasonal influenza vaccines administered by private doctor (January 28 2013)
[Source: Department of Health, Hong Kong PRC SAR, full page: (LINK).]
DH investigating expired seasonal influenza vaccines administered by private doctor
The Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) alerted parents of children aged 6 months to 6 years old who had received seasonal influenza vaccination from a private doctor, Dr Chung Fan-sheng, who enrolled in the Childhood Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, to contact the department as soon as possible for further investigation and follow-up as the doctor concerned was found to have administered expired seasonal influenza vaccines to three children in his clinic at unit 12B, G/F, Tsui Ying House, Tsui Ping Estate, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.
On January 25, the DH received a complaint from a parent that Dr Chung had administered expired seasonal influenza vaccines to his children. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
According to the investigation, the doctor claimed that he had administered the expired influenza vaccine Vaxigrip 0.25ml for paediatric use with expiry in April 2012 to a 2-year-old boy on January 22 and two other boys aged 2 and 3 on January 24 by mistake.
The DH immediately contacted the parents of the three affected children. While the children are currently in stable condition, arrangements have been made for them to receive re-vaccination by the DH.
The DH has set up a hotline (2125 2125) to answer public enquiries. Parents of children aged between 6 months and 6 years old who had received influenza vaccine from the doctor concerned between May 1, 2012, and January 25, 2013, are advised to call the hotline for further investigation and follow-up. The hotline will operate until 9pm tonight and from 9am to 9pm on January 29 and 30, and will return to office hours from 9am to 5pm from January 31 onwards.
A DH spokesman said, "According to information from overseas health authorities, if an expired vaccine has been administered, the client should be re-vaccinated appropriately as soon as possible."
The spokesman added that during inspection, no expired vaccine was found by the DH in the clinic concerned. The private doctor has been delisted from the DH's Vaccination Subsidy Schemes and demand for recovery of overpayment or no payment will be arranged for improper claims.
"The case will also be referred to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up," he said.
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:40
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The Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) alerted parents of children aged 6 months to 6 years old who had received seasonal influenza vaccination from a private doctor, Dr Chung Fan-sheng, who enrolled in the Childhood Influenza Vaccination Subsidy Scheme, to contact the department as soon as possible for further investigation and follow-up as the doctor concerned was found to have administered expired seasonal influenza vaccines to three children in his clinic at unit 12B, G/F, Tsui Ying House, Tsui Ping Estate, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.
On January 25, the DH received a complaint from a parent that Dr Chung had administered expired seasonal influenza vaccines to his children. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
According to the investigation, the doctor claimed that he had administered the expired influenza vaccine Vaxigrip 0.25ml for paediatric use with expiry in April 2012 to a 2-year-old boy on January 22 and two other boys aged 2 and 3 on January 24 by mistake.
The DH immediately contacted the parents of the three affected children. While the children are currently in stable condition, arrangements have been made for them to receive re-vaccination by the DH.
The DH has set up a hotline (2125 2125) to answer public enquiries. Parents of children aged between 6 months and 6 years old who had received influenza vaccine from the doctor concerned between May 1, 2012, and January 25, 2013, are advised to call the hotline for further investigation and follow-up. The hotline will operate until 9pm tonight and from 9am to 9pm on January 29 and 30, and will return to office hours from 9am to 5pm from January 31 onwards.
A DH spokesman said, "According to information from overseas health authorities, if an expired vaccine has been administered, the client should be re-vaccinated appropriately as soon as possible."
The spokesman added that during inspection, no expired vaccine was found by the DH in the clinic concerned. The private doctor has been delisted from the DH's Vaccination Subsidy Schemes and demand for recovery of overpayment or no payment will be arranged for improper claims.
"The case will also be referred to the Medical Council of Hong Kong for follow-up," he said.
Ends/Monday, January 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:40
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