A Halifax-area paediatrician has given ineffective flu shots to 27 children according to health officials.
The patients who received the flu shots will need to get a second vaccination, says Dr. Robin Taylor, Medical Officer of Health for Capital Health District Authority. A special clinic has been set up for those affected.
The parents of the children have been notified to ensure that their children are properly protected as Canada moves into flu season, the Chronicle Herald reported.
Dr. William Vitale improperly mixed seasonal flu vaccine with routine childhood vaccinations which inhibits the effectiveness of the shots. This isn’t the first time that Vitale has been investigated by the provincial Health Department.
The Chronicle Herald reported that in 2006 there were complaints from parents after their child received only one of two required shots. Officials are also trying to contact any patients of Vitale’s who received infant immunizations between 1992 and 1994 and from 2003 to the present, as they need to re-immunized.
Dr. Vitale’s license has been suspended since Dec. 13.
