Wrong flu shots given in Needham
The wrong flu shot was given to 47 people in Needham, including 18 members of the fire department, according to a press release issued today by the town.
The 47 people were inadvertently given a seasonal flu shot instead of the vaccine for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu. There is no health risk for people who received more than one dose of the seasonal flu vaccine, according to the release.
The health department learned of the mistake on Friday, Nov. 19, and began dispensing the H1N1 vaccine to those individuals on the following Monday, according to the release.
Needham Fire Chief Paul Buckley told WHDH-TV that the labeling of the vaccines contributed to the mix up.
"I think it was a combination of issues, one being the labeling being extremely poor, look at them side by side and their exactly the same, same color and there was no real guidance from the state DPH. I'm not saying it was their fault but if they knew there was potentional problems, we should have been notified because we have people trained to administer it as well as the nurses at the Health Department," Buckley was quoted as saying on the television station's website.
"It was an innocent mistake," Selectman John Bulian told the Globe Tuesday evening.
"All of the individuals were gracious and indicated that they intend to set up an appointment to receive the H1N1 vaccine," the press release said. "The town regrets any inconvenience associated with the incident. The Needham Health Department has re-doubled its efforts to ensure that appropriate safety precautions are met and that the health and safety of employees and residents is our priority."
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