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The Department of Health (DH) today (April 26) instructed the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPA) to contact clients who received vaccination at the Tsuen Wan Centre (the Centre) of the FPA between February 1 and April 24 for follow-up consultation as the DH's investigation revealed that the vaccines administered might have been exposed to adverse temperatures.
A DH spokesman said that abnormal temperature recordings for February and March of a refrigerator used to store three types of vaccines, namely measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, were noted by the DH during a routine inspection visit to the Centre on April 24. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
According to the initial investigation, about 300 doses of the vaccines concerned, which might have been exposed to adverse temperatures, were administered to clients. The FPA has been advised to liaise with the vaccine manufacturers to confirm the efficacy of these vaccines.
As a precautionary measure, the DH has instructed the FPA to contact clients who received the vaccines for appropriate follow-up management.
The DH will monitor the FPA's follow-up actions.
The case is still under investigation. So far, the DH has not received any adverse reports related to the affected vaccines.
The spokesman advised clients to either approach the FPA or consult healthcare professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after receiving the vaccines concerned.
Ends/Friday, April 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:02
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