Spain Launches Investigation into Expired Vaccines Given to Children

Health Ministry Launches Investigation into Expired Vaccines in Basque Country

A health ministry investigation has been launched after expired doses of a childhood vaccine were administered to 253 patients in the Basque Country, Spain. The affected individuals are mostly infants. Osakidetza, the region’s public health service, contacted the families involved this week.

According to a statement released by the agency on Wednesday, the issue was detected on January 15. Basque Health Minister Alberto Martinez stated that consultations with national medicines agency AEMPS, the Basque Vaccine Advisory Council, and the vaccine manufacturer concluded that expired doses pose no health risks or adverse effects to recipients.

Martinez apologized to the affected families, describing the lapse as “serious.” The minister announced an internal investigation to identify the link in the supply chain where the error occurred and implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The childhood hexavalent vaccine protects against six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. The Basque Country’s Department of Health and Osakidetza are responsible for health policy and services in the region.

The central Spanish government maintains national regulatory oversight on medicines through AEMPS, but day-to-day implementation and response to local incidents remain under Basque control.

Source: Al Jazeera