Ontario family waits a week for answers after 2 young children get adult dose of COVID-19 vaccine
An Ontario family was forced to wait a week for answers after their two children were mistakenly given an adult dose of a COVID-19 vaccine instead of the paediatric version, leading to many sleepless nights.
On Dec. 22, Angela and Felipe Neto took their two youngest kids, aged six and eight, to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Napanee, Ont. for their first shot.
“After they received the shots and we were waiting to see if they were good to go and then a lady got us to the other room and informed us the kids have been vaccinated with the adult version of Moderna, which is not even tested for children,” Felipe Neto told CTV News Toronto last week.
“And then I asking about what we should expect and she had no idea.”
After asking for a new receipt that showed the adult dose, the family was simply told to monitor the children for any negative reactions. No further information was given to the family, who said they aren’t sure what to watch out for.
Felipe Neto said that he and his wife barely slept that first night.
“What if their hearts stopped beating and I’m sleeping because they took an untested vaccine. That’s so scary,” he said.
Angela Neto said that she called her colleagues, who work as nurses at a hospital in Kington, Ont., for advice
The children have not experienced any severe side effects to the adult vaccine dose, which the family is grateful for, but they say that it was the confusion and lack of communication that bothered them the most.
“It's way too scary when someone tells you, ‘Oh, sorry. We messed up with your kids and we don't know what may happen.’ What can happen?They can die? We don't know. Holy cow,” Felipe Neto said.
“We were not causing a scene or anything. I understand mistakes happen. But to be put in a room aside, leave your kids alone to receive this kind of news and a goodbye, go home and see what happens… what is being done? Did they open an investigation? What is happening?”
An official with the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A)Public Health Unit got back to the family on Dec. 31 after numerous calls. The official apologized for the mistake and told the family that the kids should still get a second dose of vaccine.
KFL&A Public Health told CTV News Toronto in a statement Tuesday they do not comment on individual medical cases, but there are processes in place to review all incidents that are reported.
This includes “a review of the incident with staff involved and immediate actions taken to mitigate future recurrences as well as identified opportunities to improve clinical practices.”
“If a vaccine error or deviation occur, clinic practices would adhere to the most up to date Ministry of Health guidance document.”
According to provincial guidelines updated on Dec. 30, 2021—which have yet to be published online—if an adult’s shot of Moderna is administered to a child under the age of 12, it should be considered as a “valid dose.”
These children should still book a second shot of paediatric Pfizer vaccine, the government says, adding that officials should inform parents of “the potential for local and systemic adverse events.”
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET THE WRONG DOSE IN ONTARIO?
Regardless of the error, the provincial guidelines say that the recipient of the erroneous vaccine should be informed of any possible side effects and be provided with recommendations for future doses. All errors should also be reported to the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Prevention System, as well as the local public health unit.
Here is what the guidelines say should happen if a child is given an incorrect dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario:
A child under the age of five gets a pediatric dose of COVID-19 vaccine: Children under the age of five are not yet eligible to get the shot. If t his occurs, a second dose may be offered at the recommended interval when they do become eligible.
A child under the age of 12 gets an adult dose of Pfizer: A second dose of the paediatric Pfizer dose should be offered at the recommended interval.
A child under the age of 18 gets the AstraZeneca vaccine: They should get the second dose of the correct age-appropriate Pfizer dose when eligible.
A child under the age of 18 gets the Janssen vaccine: No second dose is necessary. The vaccine series is considered complete.
If a child between the ages of 12 and 17 get a paediatric dose of Pfizer: This should be considered a valid dose and when eligible, the individual should get a second adult dose of Pfizer. If the paediatric dose was given as a second shot, the series should be complete. However, the province says that a repeated dose of the adult vaccine “may be administered at the Ontario recommended interval after the dose given in error” based on clinical judgement.
If someone aged 18 and up receives a paediatric dose: The dose is considered invalid and the individual should get the age-appropriate dose as soon as possible. The second dose should be given at the recommended interval following the age-appropriate vaccine.
If a child gets a paediatric dose within 14 days of another vaccine: The dose is considered valid and the series should be completed as normal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.