The Department of Health (DH) today (January 12) said that it is investigating and following up on 36 members of the public being administered with Comirnaty vaccines after the suggested use-by date by New Town Integrated Medical Centre (Tin Shui Wai) located at Shop G3, G/F, Kingswood Richly Plaza, Tin Shui Wai.
The DH has in place a regular stock monitoring mechanism for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, under which the DH obtains regular information on the usage of vaccines by the medical service providers under the programme.
DH received notification on January 6 from the above medical centre that on January 2 and January 4, Comirnaty vaccines which had been kept 31 days and 33 days after thawing (i.e. a few hours and two days after the suggested use-by date) were administered on 12 and 24 members of the public respectively. As suggested by the vaccine manufacturer, Comirnaty vaccine should be kept at 2 to 8 degree Celsius and be used within 31 days after thawing. Upon receiving the report, the DH has conducted an inspection to the medical centre and found that vaccines are stored in an appropriate environment and temperature according to guidelines.
The DH has also immediately made inquiries to Fosun Pharma on the safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine. According to the reply by Fosun Pharma, there is no information which shows adverse reaction as a result of using vaccine over the thawing period. Also, the DH noticed data on stability of vaccine two months after thawing and is awaiting further confirmation by the manufacturer.
The DH has requested the medical centre to follow-up on the condition of the 36 affected persons. Two of them have reported gastrointestinal discomfort, with one recovering after attending the Accident and Emergency Department while the other under observation at a hospital in a stable condition. The others have not indicated any discomfort.
In addition, the DH has consulted local expert and the initial assessment is that the relevant vaccination is considered effective. However, for prudence's sake, affected persons are advised to conduct tests for antibody level after completion of the vaccine regimen to ensure its effectiveness. The DH will refer affected persons for follow-up by the expert.
The DH has reminded again all medical centres to regularly check the storing condition of vaccines after thawing and handle vaccines properly. The DH has issued a warning to the medical centre concerned and urged them to avoid recurrence of similar incidents.
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