Revaccination Advice for Patients of Dodges Ferry Medical

Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, 14 June 2023

Revaccination advice for patients of Dodges Ferry Medical

Public Health Services is working with Dodges Ferry Medical to provide advice to patients who were vaccinated at the clinic between July 2003 and 22 March 2023.

An investigation and expert assessment of vaccine storage practices by the Director of Public Health found that there is no documented evidence of vaccines being stored per National Guidelines during this time.

It is possible that vaccines may have been exposed to temperatures that were too hot or too cold during storage, which can reduce their effectiveness in preventing disease.

“There is no risk of harm to people who have received these vaccines, however the vaccine may not be effective at preventing disease,’’ Dr Veitch said.

“It is not possible to determine whether vaccines administered at the clinic were effective or ineffective. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending people who received vaccines at the clinic to seek advice and consider having those vaccine doses repeated.”

The Department has worked with the practice to try to identify all people who may be affected. Letters have been sent to these individuals; these letters may still be on their way in the mail.

Individuals who have been affected are encouraged to speak with their current General Practitioner to discuss revaccination relevant to their individual circumstances.

Alternatively, revaccination advice is available from Public Health Nurse Immunisers. Individuals can request advice by completing an online form available at www.health.tas.gov.au/revaccination-advice

Please call the Public Health Hotline if you are unable to complete an online form.

Vaccines that may be affected are those on the National Immunisation Program. This includes routine government-funded childhood vaccines and some government-funded vaccines routinely given to teenagers, adults and pregnant women.

Influenza (flu) vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines purchased from pharmacies on private script have not been affected. Patients who only received these vaccines do not need to do anything.

Public Health Services is currently working with vaccine providers across the state to ensure best-practice vaccine storage principles are in place.

Due to record keeping over an extended time period, the current contact details of all affected individuals may not be known. If anyone has been affected or believes they may be affected, please visit www.health.tas.gov.au/revaccination-advice for more information or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.