Spain launches probe as expired vaccines given to 253 children

"Health authorities in Spain's Basque Country have launched an investigation after expired doses of the childhood hexavalent vaccine were administered to 253 patients, mostly infants. Osakidetza, the Basque public health service responsible for delivering healthcare across the region, began contacting the affected families this week. The issue was detected on January 15, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday."

"Basque Health Minister Alberto Martinez said consultations with the national medicines agency AEMPS, the Basque Vaccine Advisory Council and the vaccine manufacturer concluded that the expired doses pose no health risks or adverse effects to recipients. Given the seriousness of what happened, we have opened an internal investigation to clarify and identify the link in the supply chain where the error may have occurred and thus implement corrective measures to prevent a recurrence of such events, Martinez said in a statement."

Expired doses of the childhood hexavalent vaccine were administered to 253 patients, mostly infants, in the Basque Country. The issue was detected on January 15 and Osakidetza began contacting affected families. Consultations with the national medicines agency AEMPS, the Basque Vaccine Advisory Council and the vaccine manufacturer concluded that the expired doses pose no health risks or adverse effects. An apology was issued to affected families and an internal investigation has been opened to identify the supply-chain lapse and implement corrective measures. The hexavalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B. Regional health services are delivered by the Basque Department of Health and Osakidetza, while AEMPS maintains national regulatory oversight.

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