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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) spokesperson made the following announcement today (August 24):
After recent enquiries from some parents, KWH noted that a nurse in the Department of Paediatrics had given routine BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccinations on the medial side of the arm of babies instead of at the conventional site, which is on the lateral side of the arm. To allay possible worries of parents, the hospital has started to contact the concerned parents for detailed explanation. The unconventional site of vaccination would have the same efficacy as the conventional site. In addition, there is no medical evidence that vaccination at the medial side of the arm would increase the risk of complications.
In general, a small red papule or ulcer may develop within one to three weeks after vaccination and it will gradually dry up during the following few weeks, leaving a very small scar or no scar when the wound is healed. In some cases, lumps under the armpit caused by enlarged glands may be developed. Other adverse complications are very rare.
The hospital has contacted the parents of 36 babies who received vaccinations between the end of June and mid-July this year. The situation has been explained to parents and check-ups will be arranged. For babies who have received vaccinations earlier, the hospital would arrange follow-up in due course. Remarks will be added on the vaccination records to indicate the vaccination site for future health checks. Doctors will provide appropriate follow-up when necessary.
The hospital extended its apologies to the parents for the inconvenience caused. The hospital would further review the practice of vaccination by the nurse concerned.
Ends/Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:49
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