Another COVID Vaccine Mix-Up: Nearly 100 Maryland Kids Given Wrong Shot Dose

Incorrect dosages of the Pfizer COVID vaccine were administered to 98 students in Montgomery County in Maryland, causing the children to need a second dose of the shot.

The students of South Lake Elementary School received a diluted dosage of the COVID shot offered at a vaccine clinic at their school on Nov. 10.

The vaccine error was discovered on Nov. 13 by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, which consulted with the Maryland Department of Health and vaccine maker Pfizer, which recommended an additional dose of the shot for the impacted children.

Parents were notified of the error and told that an additional clinic would be held at the school on Wednesday for the affected children to receive another dose of the vaccine. Those who are unable to attend the clinic are advised to have their vaccination repeated “at their earliest convenience,” Montgomery County officials said in a statement.

Dr. James Bridgers, acting county health officer, said in a statement, “We apologize for the error, and we are offering another opportunity for the children to be revaccinated. We are confident that this is an isolated situation and staff have already received additional training on reconstituting and administering pediatric doses.”

Health officials have said there are no known side effects of receiving a lower-than-recommended dose of the COVID vaccine, according to WUSA, a CBS affiliate out of Washington, D.C.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends repeating the vaccine dose immediately if under-dosed, according to its website.

The Pfizer COVID vaccine for kids is a lower dose of the shot at 10 micrograms, while the adult shot is 30 micrograms. Both Pfizer shots are administered in two doses spaced weeks apart.

Montgomery County said it leads all Maryland jurisdictions in the number of pediatric doses administered.