Seventeen people in Chemnitz accidentally vaccinated with Astrazeneca
Because of a breakdown at the Chemnitz vaccination center, 17 people were accidentally vaccinated with Astrazeneca instead of Moderna. Those under 40 are probably also affected by this. Overall, the group was able to be narrowed down from initially more than 250 to 69 people who were vaccinated on the vaccination route in question during the period on Tuesday. The group of people cannot be determined more precisely, said the chairman of the board of directors of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Saxony, Klaus Heckemann, of the German Press Agency. These included eight vaccinated people who were younger than 40 years.
The Astrazeneca vaccine can rarely cause serious side effects. The Standing Vaccination Commission recommends the vaccine for people over 60 years of age; However, vaccination of younger people is also possible after medical advice and consent. In Saxony’s vaccination centers, the vaccine is regularly administered to people over the age of 60; They recently started offering vaccinations for people aged 40 and over.
The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians regretted the mix-up: “Unfortunately, this could not be prevented despite the highest security measures and control mechanisms.” It is very unfortunate that the ampoules of both vaccines have the same volume and that their cover is the same in color. That made the mix up easier, explained Heckemann when asked.
According to the information, personal consequences were drawn after the mix-up. In addition, the processes would be checked again and the employees of the vaccination centers instructed accordingly. Those possibly affected were informed by letter about further recommendations for action, it said. In addition, they could use a special number to contact an experienced vaccination doctor with their questions.
According to Heckemann, those affected were once again specifically informed about the side effects of Astrazeneca and encouraged to look specifically for signs of this. For most of them it was the first vaccination; They should now receive the Moderna vaccine that was actually planned for the second vaccination. The experts do not see any disadvantage from the mix of vaccines with regard to the effectiveness of the vaccination.
