Aspen area clients being contacted
January 15, 2009
ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES - Aspen is contacting clients since it was recently determined that vaccines stored at some Community Health Services Offices have been exposed to storage temperatures outside of the recommended levels. Vaccines exposed to inappropriate temperatures may not provide adequate protection as the potency may have been reduced. Exposed vaccines include those covered under the provincialimmunization program as well as travel vaccines. The storage temperature concern was discovered as part of ongoing quality assurance practices to help ensure that patients receive safe, quality health services.
The exposed vaccines were administered to clients in Barrhead, Buffalo Lake, Kikino, Lac La Biche, Mayerthorpe, Onoway, Swan Hills, Thorhild and Westlock during specific periods of the 2008 calendar year.
Alberta Health Services Aspen is conducting chart assessments on an individual basis in order to determine which clients are recommended for reimmunization.Clients will be contacted both by phone and by mail in the coming weeks regarding the status of their immunizations, and whether reimmunization is recommended.
A review is underway in order to determine how to enhance the vaccine storage process.
Further information is available by calling Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
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Attachment: Backgrounder - Vaccine Management
For media inquiries, please contact:
Scott Donaldson
Communications & Public Relations
Alberta Health Services, Aspen
Phone: 1.780.349.8705 ext. 228
Dr. Gerry Predy / Dr. Kathryn M. Koliaska
Medical Officer of Health
Alberta Health Services, Aspen
Phone: 1-780-967-6844 ext. 264
