Baby boy 'given ten times normal dose of BCG vaccine' in hospital
Investigation launched after baby boy given ten times normal amount of BCG vaccine in hospital
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Monday, 08, Mar 2010 03:26
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
An investigation has been launched after a junior doctor gave a baby boy ten times the amount of TB vaccine he should have been given.
The newborn was injected with 0.5mg of the BCG vaccine, instead of the usual 0.05mg, at Scunthorpe General Hospital, lawyers for his family have said.
It is believed the baby boy is now being treated for tuberculosis by immunology specialists at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
David Body, medical law specialist at Irwin Mitchell, which is acting for the family, said: "This is a difficult time for the baby's family.
"Their baby is receiving treatment for TB, which has its own side effects, but they are hopeful that the treatment will be successful with no long term damage to their baby's health.
"However, this case raises important questions about basic systems in hospitals to ensure the safe administration of drugs, including vaccines."
While a spokesman for the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "As soon as we were made aware of the incident we launched a full investigation which is ongoing.
"We continue to keep in touch with the parents, providing them with updates as to the results of the investigation."