Hospital apologizes after Toronto teen receives COVID-19 vaccine not yet approved for children
A 15-year-old boy looking to get his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine says he was shocked to find out he had been given the wrong shot after the vaccination had already taken place.
Rakin Choudhury went to the vaccination site at Warden Hilltop Community Centre, which is operated by Michael Garron Hospital in the city’s east end, with his father Rejoan and two siblings on Tuesday.
Because of his age, Choudhury was expecting to receive a shot of Pfizer, as it is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada for children between the ages of 12 and 17.
“When we were first registering for the vaccine, we told the person with the iPad at least four or five times that we were getting Pfizer,” Choudhury said, speaking to CTV News Toronto.
When the teen got written confirmation of his vaccination, Choudhury said he noticed he had received a shot of Moderna instead.
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, Michael Garron said it has been in touch with Choudhury’s family and that it had apologized for the error.
“The patient is stable and the incident is being reviewed with the team to ensure processes are in place to prevent this error from occurring in the future,” said Wolf Klassen, Vice President of Program Support at Michael Garron Hospital.
Choudhury’s father explained that while the incident is unsettling, he hopes sharing the story will prevent similar errors from taking place.
“Before this becomes more widespread, we need to stop it,” Rejoan said.
Choudhury said he experienced some nausea following the vaccination, but is feeling OK now.
Due to a delivery delay earlier this month, clinics across the city have been reserving Pfizer doses for children between the ages of 12 and 17 while adults receive doses of Moderna.
CTV News Toronto has reached out to the Ontario Ministry of Health to see if any other children have received the incorrect vaccine.
Choudhury’s two siblings, who are 16 and 12 years old both received a correct Pfizer shot at the same COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
On June 7, Moderna announced it had filed for Health Canada authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to be used in adolescents. At that time, the pharmaceutical company said its shot had a 93 per cent efficacy two weeks after the first dose in adolescents who tested negative for ever having COVID-19.
The vaccine was “generally well tolerated” and there were no significant safety concerns, according to Moderna.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 investigation How did thieves steal your car? Maybe with a device they ordered online
Digital devices that a Toronto-area police department warns are used in the most common method of stealing cars are for sale online for anyone to buy, a W5 investigation has found.
Trump's appointees have criticized Trudeau, warned of border issues with Canada
Donald Trump's second administration is filling up with some of his most loyal supporters and many of the people landing top jobs have been critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and security at Canada's border.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead new 'Department of Government Efficiency' in Trump administration
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new 'Department of Government Efficiency' in his second administration.
Alleged serial killer previously pled guilty to 2018 attack on Waterloo, Ont. bus
The woman accused of killing three people in three days in three Ontario cities also previously admitted to attacking strangers on buses in the Region of Waterloo.
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, a popular leader renowned for his affable personality and dedicated public service, has died.
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Trump makes a victor's return to Washington to meet with Biden and GOP lawmakers
U.S. President Joe Biden will welcome Donald Trump to the White House on Wednesday for an Oval Office visit that is a traditional part of the peaceful handoff of power, a ritual Trump himself declined to participate in four years ago.
Chrystia Freeland says carbon rebate for small businesses will be tax-free
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the Canada carbon rebate for small businesses will be tax-free.