Probe after babies given wrong vaccine in PMB
Medi-Clinic South Africa has launched an investigation after 16 newborns were given a vaccine meant for one-year-olds at its Pietemaritzburg facility.
The Witness is reporting the infants' mothers received a call from the hospital's doctor informing them about the error.
The children were vaccinated with twice the dose acceptable for a newborn baby.
Medi-Clinic South Africa's Chief Clinical Officer and Head of the Investigations, Dr Stefan Smuts has confirmed the incident.
"The investigation is still ongoing but it's a thorough investigation to understand how this error occurred and what we can do to prevent it from happening again.
"We've consulted with the supplier of the vaccine and a specialist and both confirmed that there's absolutely no risk for the babies," he said.
In February this year, 19 newborns were vaccinated with medication meant for patients with bladder conditions at Medi-Clinic Milnerton in Cape Town.
Newspaper reports at the time said the babies were as a result, put at risk of contracting TB.
(Photo: www.mediclinic.co.za)