Kids in two different parts of the country were given the wrong dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine in two unrelated incidents.
In one instance, the children didn’t get enough of the pediatric version of the COVID-19 shot. In the other case, the children got too much of the vaccine.
Nearly 100 children in Montgomery County, Maryland, received a shot that was “diluted more than recommended,” county officials said in a news release, WRC reported.
A staff member realized what had happened and told officials. They then spoke with both the Maryland Department of Health and Pfizer to find out what the next steps were.
Both the department of health and the company said that each child should get an additional dose.
James Bridgers, acting county health officer, said it was an isolated situation and that staff members have received additional training so it doesn’t happen again, WTOP reported.
However, the opposite happened in California.
More than a dozen children were given too large of a dose during a clinic.
“This weekend 14 patients at our Antioch pediatric vaccine clinic received vaccines with an incorrect amount of diluent,” Dr. Jimmy Hu told KPIX. “As soon as we learned of this, we contacted the parents and advised them of the CDC guidance in this situation. The safety of our patients is our top priority, and we immediately reviewed our processes to help make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Hu is the chair of the Sutter Health COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.
A child between the ages of 5 and 11 should get about 10 micrograms per shot. People 12 years old and older get 30 micrograms per shot.
The children who were given too much received about two-thirds of the larger dose, Sutter officials told KPIX.
The larger dose could have side effects of headaches, muscle aches, fever and chills, KABC reported.
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