98 Kids Given Wrong Vaccine Dose At South Lake Elementary Clinic

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Parents of 98 children who received a COVID-19 dose at a South Lake Elementary School clinic are being asked to bring their kids back in for an additional dose. The original dose they received was more diluted than recommended, the county said in a news release on Monday night.

The county said they notified all of the parents of the kids affected at the Nov. 10 clinic at the school. Another clinic will be held Wednesday for the kids to get their additional dose.

“We apologize for the error, and we are offering another opportunity for the children to be revaccinated,” said James Bridgers, acting County health officer, in a news release. “We are confident that this is an isolated situation and staff have already received additional training on reconstituting and administering pediatric doses. Staff will continue to receive weekly updates on clinical guidance for the administration of vaccine doses to this age group.”

The county said that anyone who cannot attend that clinic is advised to get another dose as soon as they can elsewhere, and that only students at this one clinic were affected.

A staff person realized the vaccines were too diluted on Saturday and notified the Department of Health and Human Services. They consulted with the Maryland Department of Health and Pfizer, who said all of the kids affected should get another dose of the vaccine.