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| The incident happened at a routine free flu shot clinic for employees of Otsuka. The nurse's name has been turned over to the state board of nursing for investigation. (Source: KYW/CNN) |
PRINCETON, NJ (KYW/CNN) - Dozens of people are being tested for HIV and hepatitis after authorities said a nurse re-used a syringe for flu vaccinations.
Local media reports that while she changed the needle for each injection, she used the same syringe on as many as 67 people.
The health breach happened at a flu vaccine clinic held at Otsuka Pharmaceutical in West Windsor, NJ.
On Sept. 30, the company held a routine free flu shot clinic for its employees, only to find out later that the nurse administering the shots did not follow routine protocol and allegedly reused a syringe while giving the shots.
Otsuka issued a statement saying, "We were upset and alarmed when we learned that a nurse affiliated with Total Wellness, the company we retained to provide free flu shots for our employees, had breached vaccination protocols."
The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating.
"The risk of infection is low, but out of an abundance of caution the NJ Department of Health, West Windsor Township and the CDC are recommending testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV," the New Jersey Department of Health said.
Total Wellness has offered to take care of any necessary screenings and issued a statement saying, in part, "We take full responsibility for this incident and are working with the New Jersey Department of Health to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible."
Still, nerves are rattled and confidence shaken for those looking to get flu shots this season.
The New Jersey Department of Health has referred the name of the nurse involved to the state board of nursing, which regulates and takes disciplinary action against nurses.
Source: WAFB.com
Local media reports that while she changed the needle for each injection, she used the same syringe on as many as 67 people.
The health breach happened at a flu vaccine clinic held at Otsuka Pharmaceutical in West Windsor, NJ.
On Sept. 30, the company held a routine free flu shot clinic for its employees, only to find out later that the nurse administering the shots did not follow routine protocol and allegedly reused a syringe while giving the shots.
Otsuka issued a statement saying, "We were upset and alarmed when we learned that a nurse affiliated with Total Wellness, the company we retained to provide free flu shots for our employees, had breached vaccination protocols."
The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating.
"The risk of infection is low, but out of an abundance of caution the NJ Department of Health, West Windsor Township and the CDC are recommending testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV," the New Jersey Department of Health said.
Total Wellness has offered to take care of any necessary screenings and issued a statement saying, in part, "We take full responsibility for this incident and are working with the New Jersey Department of Health to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible."
Still, nerves are rattled and confidence shaken for those looking to get flu shots this season.
The New Jersey Department of Health has referred the name of the nurse involved to the state board of nursing, which regulates and takes disciplinary action against nurses.
Source: WAFB.com
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