Causes and remedies for vaccination errors in the COVID-19 landscape

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VACCINES

Causes and remedies for vaccination errors in the COVID-19 landscape

8 June 2022

By Kate Marshall and Belinda White

Wednesday 8 June 2022, 12:15 AM

[Image: IMAC]

This article looks at common COVID-19 vaccination errors and their contributing factors, then provides advice to help avoid such errors based around the ‘seven rights of vaccine administration’

Key points, Common COVID-19 vaccination errors in New Zealand are giving the wrong dose for age and expired vaccines being administered. Tired, stressed staff a, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

COVID-19

References

1. Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Errors with COVID Vaccines Lead ISMP’s of Medication Safety Concerns from 2021. 27 January 2022. https://www.ismp.org/news/errors-covid-vaccines-lead-ismps-medication-safety-concerns-2021

2. Institute for Safe Medication Practices. ISMP Urges Steps Be Taken to Prevent Mix-Ups between Pediatric and Age 12 and Up COVID-19 Vaccines. 8 November 2021. https://www.ismp.org/news/ismp-urges-steps-be-taken-prevent-mix-ups-between-pediatric-and-age-12-and-covid-19-vaccines

3. Ministry of Health. Immunisation Handbook 2020. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Health; 2022. https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/immunisation-handbook-2020

4. Wexler D. Technically Speaking: Know the “7 Rights” of Vaccine Administration. November 2014. https://www.immunize.org/technically-speaking/20141101.asp

5. Ministry of Health. Operating Guidelines for DHBs & Providers: COVID-19 Vaccine Immunisation Programme, Version 37.0. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Health; 6 May 2022. https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-information-health-professionals/covid-19-vaccine-operating-and-planning-guidelines

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How to Treat

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For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews

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