Basque Health Minister Acknowledges Serious Error in Vaccine Administration

On Wednesday, Basque Health Minister Alberto Martínez publicly recognized a significant mistake regarding the administration of expired vaccines, a situation that came to light the previous day. The Basque Health Service, known as Osakidetza, inadvertently administered 262 doses of expired hexavalent vaccines to 253 individuals, most of whom were infants. Fortunately, the minister clarified that this oversight does not pose any immediate health risks to those affected. The hexavalent vaccine in question protects against six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. According to Martínez, 103 of the doses were given after the expiration date of November 30, while the remaining doses from the same lot were administered before the date had lapsed in November. Initially, there were plans to revaccinate all those affected; however, following a review by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS), this recommendation was revisited. The AEMPS advised that only adults aged 5 years and older should be revaccinated, while infants were not included in this recommendation. Minister Martínez stated that a thorough assessment will be conducted to determine the appropriate next steps for the affected individuals. The minister addressed the question of how such an error could occur, indicating that multiple control mechanisms failed. He cited faults within the vaccine distribution warehouse, the health centers that received the vaccines, and the nursing staff responsible for administering them—over 50 individuals in total were involved. "Human error has compounded, and we are committed to investigating this incident thoroughly to ensure the integrity of our healthcare system," he remarked. Martínez disclosed that the health authorities became aware of the expired vaccines situation on January 15, after being notified by a nurse from Errenteria. The hexavalent vaccine is typically administered in two doses at two and four months of age, with a follow-up at eleven months. It is also given to some adults with specific immunological needs. As the Basque Health Service works to address this critical issue, the focus remains on maintaining public trust while ensuring that stringent measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2