Some Saskatchewan students have to be re-vaccinated

REGINA — Five students in a Saskatchewan school who got their H1N1 shots earlier this month will have to be re-immunized because the vaccine wasn't mixed properly.

Ila Fehr's eight-year-old son Nathan got his H1N1 shot on Nov. 12. Several days after Nathan was immunized, a public health nurse with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region called Ila to say Nathan had to be re-immunized. Four other students at Schell School in Holdfast, Sask., must also be re-vaccinated.

Despite the phone call, Ila was confused about why Nathan requires the shot in the arm again.

"I wish I would have asked a few more questions," the mother said. "I'm impressed that they went back and found their mistake and they told us — they're not letting it go, but I'm not impressed that Nathan has to get another shot — and neither is Nathan."

It's a case of better safe than sorry, said Dr. Tania Diener, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region's medical health officer.

She explained that a public health nurses prepares 10 doses of the H1N1 vaccine by mixing 2.5 ml of antigen from a vial with 2.5 ml from a vial of adjuvant — which acts as a booster.

"Unfortunately, after they started immunizing, they realized that they left a very small amount of the adjuvant behind in the vial. . . . We were unclear whether this would have any effect on the immune response the person would build up. In a case where you're not sure, it's better to re-immunize," Diener said.

Prior to contacting the families, health officials checked with the drug manufacturer and were given the go-ahead to re-immunize.

"I think that it's important that as soon as we realize that there's anything wrong that we correct the situation," she said.

Diener hasn't heard of similar incidents in other areas of the province.

Holdfast is about 100 kilometres northwest of Regina.