The Department of Health (DH) today (January 27) reported that a medical clinic registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap 343), the Lok Sin Tong Chan Cho Chak Polyclinics, Mongkok in Western Clinic, Flats A and B, 3/F, 688 Shanghai Street, Kowloon, has been instructed to suspend seasonal influenza vaccination and inform its clients administered with influenza vaccines there since September 2016 that the vaccines might have been stored outside the recommended temperature range.

     "Our routine inspection to the above clinic yesterday (January 26) revealed that temperature recordings from September to December 2016 of a refrigerator used for vaccine storage had been, on most occasions, lower than the recommended range, i.e. from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature recorded was 1.3 degrees C," a spokesman for the DH said.

     The DH commenced investigations immediately. Initial enquiries showed that about 100 doses of seasonal influenza vaccines might have been exposed outside the recommended temperature range and administered to clients since September 2016.

     "We have sought advice from the vaccine manufacturer about the impact on the vaccines concerned. The manufacturer informed DH that the influenza vaccines concerned should be acceptable for use. So far, no adverse reports related to the affected vaccines have been received," the spokesman added.

     As precautionary measures, the above clinic has been instructed to:
 

1. Suspend administering the remaining influenza vaccines in the refrigerator concerned;
2. Inform clients who have received vaccination in the above clinic since September 2016 for appropriate follow-up management;
3. Consult the vaccine manufacturer on the efficacy of the vaccines concerned; and
4. Conduct thorough investigations into the incident and institute appropriate remedial measures.

     The DH's Code of Practice For Clinics Registered Under The Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap 343) sets out the standards of good practice and covers various aspects of drug storage and dispensing. Medicines, including vaccines, shall be stored appropriately, and a refrigerator, where applicable, shall be available to store medicines in an appropriate range of temperature.

     "We attach great importance to the quality of private healthcare services and patient safety. We will continue to closely monitor the above clinic's follow-up actions," the spokesman said.

     The Lok Sin Tong Chan Cho Chak Polyclinics, Mongkok has set up a hotline (2272 9851) for public enquiries on the incident.

     "Clients should call the above hotline or consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell upon vaccination in the above clinic," the spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, January 27, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:33

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