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Press Release

DH investigates vaccines stored under abnormal temperature at Haven of Hope Bradbury King Lam Clinic

22 April 2016

The Department of Health (DH) today (April 22) instructed a medical clinic registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap 343), Haven of Hope Bradbury King Lam Clinic, at Shop No. 3, G/F, King Lui House, King Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O, to contact clients who have been administered with vaccines there since February 2015, as they might have been stored under abnormal temperature.

"A routine inspection of the above clinic by the DH yesterday (April 21) revealed that temperature recordings in April 2016 of two refrigerators used for vaccine storage had been, on several occasions, lower than the recommended range, i.e. from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius," a spokesman for the DH said.

The DH commenced investigations immediately. According to the DH's records, no irregularities on medicine storage at the above clinic were detected in the last inspection on February 16, 2015. Initial enquiries showed that the following vaccines might have been exposed to abnormal temperatures and administered to clients since February 16, 2015: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, influenza, 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide, rotavirus and varicella vaccines.

As precautionary measures, the above clinic has been instructed to:

1. Stop administering the remaining vaccines in the two refrigerators;
2. Trace clients who have received vaccination at the above clinic since February 2015 for appropriate follow-up management;
3. Consult relevant vaccine manufacturers on the efficacy of the vaccines concerned; and
4. Conduct further investigations into the incident and devise remedial measures.

"So far, no adverse reports related to the affected vaccines have been received. We attach great importance to the quality of private healthcare services and patient safety, and will continue to closely monitor the clinic's follow-up actions," the spokesman said.

The Code of Practice For Clinics Registered Under The Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap 343) issued by the DH sets out the standards of good practice and covers various aspects of drug storage and dispensing. Medicines, including vaccines, shall be stored appropriately, and a refrigerator, where applicable, shall be available to store medicines in an appropriate range of temperature.

Haven of Hope Bradbury King Lam Clinic has set up a hotline (2623 5517) for public enquiries during office hours.

The spokesman advised clients to call the above hotline or consult healthcare professionals for advice if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after receiving the vaccines concerned.



Last Revision Date : 22 Apr 2016