Due to vaccination dosage errors, 5 doses were administered per person
In some areas, 1,000 doses were returned due to cold chain breaches
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In Germany, a vaccination accident occurred in which some nursing home staff who were overdosed with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine showed flu-like symptoms and were hospitalized. The local health authorities stated that the hospitalized staff are not in a dangerous condition, as the accident occurred due to an error during vaccination. Various vaccine-related incidents have also been reported, including vaccine returns caused by problems during transportation in some areas.
According to local German media such as Deutsche Welle on the 28th (local time), eight nursing home staff members in Stralsund, northern Germany, were overdosed during Pfizer vaccine administration the previous day, and four of them were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. The local health authorities explained that the error during vaccination resulted in these individuals receiving five doses, and the four showing flu symptoms were hospitalized as a precaution. The staff members are reported to be seven women and one man, aged between 38 and 54.
The Pfizer vaccine is distributed in vial form after ultra-cold storage below minus 70 degrees Celsius and dilution immediately before use, with each vial containing five doses. It is estimated that due to an error in verifying the recommended dosage during vaccination, each staff member received the entire contents of one vial.
A local vaccine official stated in a press release, "This incident is very regrettable," adding, "This case is due to an individual error, and we hope that none of those affected experience serious side effects." The official also emphasized that during the early stages of Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine research, administering doses larger than the standard amount did not cause severe outcomes. However, since there have been no previous cases of receiving five doses at once, the prognosis needs to be monitored.
On the same day, in Lichtenfeld, Bavaria, some Pfizer vaccines were returned due to cold chain issues during transportation. The local health authorities reported that the internal temperature of the transport container rose to 15 degrees Celsius, resulting in the return of 1,000 doses. Since the Pfizer vaccine loses efficacy if kept at room temperature for more than two hours, concerns remain about further delivery-related incidents occurring in the future.
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