An audit found at least five New Jersey children were given the wrong immunizations, including a 2-year-old boy who likely got an excessive dose of a cervical cancer drug, during a Salem County-sponsored "Shots for Tots" clinic, officials said.
The free clinic was operated by the Salem County Health Department at Memorial Hospital of Salem County in Mannington Township, officials said. It has since been shut down and the nurse who allegedly gave the 2-year-old boy an "excessive dose" of Gardisil, the cervical cancer drug, was fired.
The child's mother and pediatrician were notified late last month, officials said. Health officials said they were not sure whether the boy would suffer negative effects from the Gardisil dose, but said he may be at risk for neurological damage.
Shots of the HPV vaccine are given to boys and girls starting at age 9.
The wrong immunizations were discovered during an annual audit in which 22 patient records were reviewed.
The audit also found $20,000 worth of vaccines were not properly refrigerated. The drugs were thrown away.
The Administration Committee of Board of Chosen Freeholders in Salem County agreed to pay for medical monitoring costs of all the children who may have been given wrong shots for the foreseeable future. Operation of the clinic will remain suspended "subject to further action" by the Board of Chosen Freeholders, officials said, though it wasn't clear what additional action was required.
