Nearly 100 children near DC receive incorrect dose of vaccine at clinic

Officials in Maryland’s Montgomery County confirmed on Monday that 98 students received an incorrect dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.

The incident occurred on Nov. 10. at South Lakes Elementary in Gaithersburg, Md., where affected students received doses of the Pfizer vaccine that were diluted “more than recommended,” the county said in a statement. 

The county also said the staff person at the school clinic realized their mistake and notified officials.

The statement said that both Maryland Department of Health and Pfizer were consulted, and recommended that the children receive an additional dose “as soon as possible.” The school will hold an additional clinic on Nov. 17 for the affected children to get an additional dose. 

“We apologize for the error, and we are offering another opportunity for the children to be revaccinated,” the acting county health officer, Dr. James Bridgers, said in a statement. 

“We are confident that this is an isolated situation and staff have already received additional training on reconstituting and administering pediatric doses,” he added.

The Hill reached out to the Montgomery County Health Department for comment.

The CDC officially recommended the Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds in November, marking the first time Americans younger than 12 were eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination. 

More than 360,000 children under age 12 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since the FDA authorized the pediatric vaccine, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released last week.