Authorities initiate probe after Kendhikulhudhoo infants administered wrong vaccine

Authorities have opened an investigation after two six-month babies in N. Kendhikulhudhoo were accidently administered the wrong vaccine.

Kendhikulhudhoo Health Center’s manager Ali Riza told Sun on Thursday that the incident took place on October 10.

According to Riza, the slipup was discovered while the infants were being administered the vaccines.

“They were supposed to be administered the IPV vaccine. But they were administered the HPV vaccine,” he said.

The IPV is a polio vaccine, while the HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccines are administered to prevent cancer-causing infections and precancers. It is generally administered on people aged 9-45.

Riza said that two nurses were involved in administering the vaccine – one a local nurse and the other – an expatriate.

“It happened at the hands of a Maldivian [nurse],” he said.

Riza said the two infants were taken to a doctor in Male’ as soon as the issue came to light. He said that the two infants do not appear have suffered any adverse effects.

“The checkup did not show they suffered any adverse effects. Both children were taken to a pediatrician in Male’ and had tests run on them before returning to this island,” he said.

No one has been penalized in connection to the incident, as of yet.

Riza said the case is under review by the health center, in collaboration with the Health Ministry.

The ministry was not immediately available for comment.