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February 10, 2003
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Private Clinics Botched Children's Vaccines--Report"
Press Association (UK) (www.pressassociation.press.net) (02/09/03); Hurst, Pat
Two British private clinics reportedly have administered toddlers' single-shot vaccinations improperly, which means that approximately 1,000 children may not be protected against rubella, measles, or mumps. In addition, the vaccines may have been contaminated. The parents of the children paid the private clinics, which are run by Lifeline Care, for individual vaccinations, and the local National Health Service Trust in Hertfordshire says that the clinics changed the normal procedure by pre-preparing vaccine batches so more children could be vaccinated. Lifeline medical director Dr. David Pugh says that "common practice" was followed in making up the vaccines and that they were used within the six-hour time limit recommended, but the clinics have since gone back to the manufacturer's recommended instructions. Trust public health director Dr. Joel Bonnet says he has not heard of any of the affected children actually becoming ill with any of the three diseases.
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