VietNamNet Bridge – At least three children have been vaccinated against measles, rubella and mumps with expired Trivivac vaccines in central Phu Yen Province's Tuy Hoa City.

The latest case happened on Monday at Tuy Hoa City's preventive medicine centre. It was reported that the father of a 16-year-old boy found the vaccine had expired in April, 20 days before his son was vaccinated.

Director of the provincial health department Phan Vu Nhan confirmed the case and said the medical worker who responsible for using the vaccine had been suspended pending further investigation.

He said: "Initial investigations find that the centre has used three out of five tubes in the expired vaccine carton, meaning that at least three children were vaccinated with the outdated vaccine."

The remaining expired vaccine tubes had been sealed off, Nhan said.

The centre bought 10 cartons of Trivivac vaccine - each contains five tubes of vaccine. However, only one vaccine carton had an expiry date of April, 2013, with the remaining nine cartons due to expire next month.

"Investigations are being made into the whole vaccination process, from purchase to preservation and vaccination. Any violations found will be strictly handled in line with current regulations," Nhan said.

"Medical workers will keep a close watch over the health condition of the children who have been exposed to the expired vaccine," he said.

Medical workers were required to carefully check the deadlines of all vaccines before use, Nhan said, adding that the department would check every vaccine at all health clinics in the province to ensure their quality.

Deputy director of Tuy Hoa City preventive medicine centre Doan Hung Anh admitted the nurse's fault in not checking the expiry date prior to vaccination.

The centre would work with the vaccine supplier to handle the case, he said.

The vaccine batch was bought by the centre last month from Ha Noi-based Duc Minh Health Joint Stock Company.

The case is also under investigation by Tuy Hoa City Police.

Source: VNS