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Alberta Health is reviewing data from nearly 75,000 doses of pneumococcal vaccine after an internal review found an unknown number of patients received shots too soon after each other and now need to be reimmunized to be properly protected against the disease.
The mix-up was discovered in a recent Alberta Health data review and involved two different vaccines: Pneumo-P and Pneu-C20.
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Policies around the shots state the Pneu-C20 should be given a minimum of one year after the last dose of Pneumo-P.
Alberta Health says policies around the vaccination have been “updated to reinforce” the one-year timeline, with that reminder shared with pharmacists via an Alberta Blue Cross memo posted earlier this month.
“It is important to note that if the minimum intervals are not respected, the Pneu-C20 dose may be less effective and reimmunization with Pneu-C20 is recommended,” it reads.
Just under 28,000 doses of Penumo-P were administered over all of 2023, according to Alberta Health data. The same figures indicate from July 1, 2024, to Nov. 20, 2024, nearly 47,000 doses of Pneu-C20 were administered.
Alberta Health notes there are no immediate adverse effects if the minimum intervals aren’t respected. It says it is working with immunization providers to review and validate how many patients were affected, but the analysis is ongoing and exact numbers are not yet available.
Once the data is validated, pharmacists will be asked to reach out to affected patients.
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“The Alberta College of Pharmacy has been notified and will also reach out to individual pharmacists as they deem appropriate,” reads an Alberta Health statement.
The Pneu-C20 vaccine is recommended for anyone ages two months and older who is at higher risk for serious infections, including those with heart, lung, kidney, or liver problems as well as those with diabetes, with a weak immune system, or who live in a care home.
The shots are designed to ward off serious pneumococcal infections that include pneumonia (lungs), meningitis (brain and spinal cord lining), bacteremia (bloodstream), and sinusitis (sinus).
Pneumococcal disease spreads through respiratory droplets via coughing, sneezing, and sharing of food or toys.
Children under the age of five as well as older adults are most at risk of severe outcomes from the disease.
Health Canada states the case-fatality rate of pneumococcal meningitis is eight per cent among children and 22 per cent among adults, though survivors are commonly left with permanent neurologic damage.
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