The Ministry of Health is investigating whether people who received the Covid-19 vaccine at a site in east Auckland may have received an “incorrect vaccine dose”.
Jo Gibbs, the national director for the Covid-19 vaccine and immunisation programme, says she’s aware of a situation at the vaccination centre in Highbrook last month where the end-of-day reconciliation of vaccine doses didn’t match those administered.
“These types of situations occur from time to time, and we have systems and processes to detect and manage them, which is what occurred in this instance.
“Although no patient harm would have resulted, at this stage we can’t rule out the possibility that five people may have received an incorrect vaccine dose.
“The situation that occurred relates to just five doses that were unaccounted for at the end of that day, during which 732 people were vaccinated.”
Gibbs says the error may have happened due to some vaccinators getting more than the regular number of doses out of some vials and forgetting to record it.
“An alternative we can’t rule out is the possibility some people didn’t receive the correct vaccine dose.
“We’re still gathering the information needed to fully understand the situation and provide any advice or support that might be needed.
“We’ll be communicating with people who may have been affected when that work is complete.”
The Highbrook vaccination is temporarily closed.
One million Kiwis fully vaccinated
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins publicly announced on August 22 that more than one million New Zealanders had been fully vaccinated against the virus.
“In confirming this figure, I particularly want to acknowledge the health workforce in New Zealand,” he says.
“They’ve stepped up across the country and particularly in Auckland at our testing centres, vaccination clinics and hospitals, and are continuing to deliver incredible numbers which we can all be proud of.”
New Covid-19 location of interest
Meanwhile, another place in east Auckland has recently been added to the Covid-19 locations of interest as identified by the Ministry of Health.
They are Countdown Pakuranga, Pakuranga Town Centre, on Friday 20 August, 12.36pm-1.15pm; and Howick Primary School Hall Meeting for Bethany Baptist Bible Church, 40 Willoughby Avenue, Howick, on Sunday 15 August, 1pm-4pm.
The Ministry of Health says people at these locations at those times should self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 14 days.
If symptoms develop, people should get a test and stay at home until they get a negative test result and until 24 hours after symptoms resolve.
Local east Auckland sites previously identified as locations of interest include:
Zone Bowling and Timezone Botany, 500A Ti Rakau Drive, on Saturday 14 August, 12.15pm-12.30pm
Nandos Botany, 1 Town Centre Drive, Botany Town Centre, on Monday 16 August, 12pm-12.45pm
KFC Botany Downs, 452 Ti Rakau Drive, on Tuesday 17 August 10.30am-10.40am
Countdown Botany Downs, cnr Te Irirangi Drive and Ti Rakau Drive, on Tuesday 17 August 10.20am-10.30am
Subway East Tamaki, cnr Springs Rd and Kerwyn Avenue, 1.45pm-2pm on Thursday, August 12
Z Harris Road Service Station 142 Harris Road, East Tamaki on Monday August 16 from 12pm-12.10pm
Bus #70 Pakuranga Town Centre to Botany Town Centre, Tuesday August 17, 9.38am-9.52am on Tuesday, August 17
Botany Town Centre Bus Stop Town Centre Dr, on Tuesday August 17, 9.52am-9.57am
News media previously reported there may have been people from East Tamaki at Central Auckland Church of Christ, 52 Hepburn Street, Freemans Bay on Sunday August 15, 10.15am-12.02pm.
Zone Bowling and Timezeone posted an update on its website about being a location of interest.
It advises anyone who was at the venue on August 14 between 12.15-12.30pm to isolate at home for 14 days from the date of last exposure.
“Test immediately and on days five and 12 after last exposure,” it says.
“Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for what to do next. Our Fun Squad are self-isolating, getting tested.
“We will be completing a full deep clean of our venue before we reopen.”
