The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed that Ted Pharmacy in Aldie is no longer participating in state COVID-19 vaccination programs or administering the vaccine, after incorrectly vaccinating 112 children between the ages of five and 11. , with doses lower than the recommended doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
The incorrect dosages were given to the children on November 3 and 4, the same week the vaccine was made available to children under 12.
The vaccine formulated for the younger age group contains the same active ingredient as that given to adults. However, the recommended dosage is about one-third of that given to adults.
VDH is investigating the incident in conjunction with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and is contacting parents of affected children to provide guidance on continuing the vaccination series.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children who received the diluted dose should repeat the dose immediately with the dose and formulation appropriate for their age. The second dose should be administered at the normal recommended interval.
VDH advised parents to monitor their children for side effects within one to three days of receiving the vaccine. Possible side effects include chills, fever, chest pain, headache, and pain or swelling at the injection site. He also recommended that families affected by the incident contact their pediatrician for advice.
The VDH letter is available here.