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27 Apr 2013 |
FPAHK following up on temperature fluctuations in refrigerator
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK) said it is actively following up on the reports of fluctuating temperature recordings in February and March of a refrigerator storing vaccines in its Tsuen Wan Centre. In accordance with the Department of Health’s (DH) instructions, it will liaise with the relevant vaccine manufacturers to investigate whether the efficacy of the vaccines may be affected. If necessary, it will trace all patients who have received the batch of affected vaccines and offer remedial action.
FPAHK said that because vaccines need to be stored within a narrow temperature range between 2-8°C, a special thermometer was installed in the refrigerator to monitor the highest and lowest temperatures. FPAHK noted temperature fluctuations beyond the standard limits in February, most of which was only 1°C below the lower limit. In March, a few readings exceeding the upper limit were noted so technicians were called in to check the refrigerator and thermometer on 22 March. The refrigerator was found to be functioning normally and the position of the special thermometer was adjusted so that its readings reflected the refrigerator’s temperature range more accurately. Since then there were no further readings exceeding the limits, so FPAHK reckoned that the problem was with the thermometer. When DH conducted a routine inspection on 24 April, it noted the temperature record fluctuations in the preceding two months and therefore instructed FPAHK to take follow up action.
FPAHK said clients who were administered with the vaccines at its Tsuen Wan Centre between 1 February and 24 April need not be overly worried. If it is found that the vaccines have been affected, FPAHK will contact them individually to offer appropriate remedy. FPAHK emphasized that clients of the Youth Health Care Centre in Tsuen Wan Centre are unaffected as these vaccines are stored in a separate refrigerator that did not experience temperature malfunction.
FPAHK apologies for any inconvenience that might have been caused to its clients. It will take steps to prevent such incidents from happening again in future. For public enquiries, please call 2572 2222.
