A storage mishap compromised hundreds of coronavirus vaccine doses administered at a Fort Meade, Maryland, facility, and while officials say recipients aren’t in any danger, opportunities for a repeat dose are nonetheless being offered.
Approximately 80 vials of the Moderna-developed vaccine, equaling about 800 doses, were improperly handled outside of the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range on April 12, Fox News reported.
The error occurred at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, affecting those vaccinated on two different dates this month.
“Moderna and the Immunization Health Branch of the Defense Health Agency have reviewed the circumstances and have determined that there is no risk for potential harm to the individuals who received the affected doses,” the Department of the Army said in a statement posted online Thursday. “The vaccines were administered to beneficiaries on 7th and 12th April at the McGill Training Center vaccination site located on the installation. Because it is uncertain if the previously administered doses will provide the expected protection, each impacted beneficiary is being offered a repeat dose.”
Officials cannot point to when the storage error occurred not how it was identified, but said clinical staff immediately identified impacted recipients and began contacting them to inform of the situation and to schedule revaccinations, the Army said.
The Moderna vaccine may be stored in unpunctured vials between -50 degrees Celsius and -15 Celsius. The vials may be refrigerated between 2 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius up to 30 days before vials are punctured.
Thawed vaccines cannot be refrozen and used later.