Hundreds of people were administered doses of expired COVID-19 vaccines during an event in New York City’s Times Square, city health officials said.
The New York City Health Department confirmed that 899 individuals got Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at the former NFL Experience building between June 5 and June 10.
A spokesperson for the department told news outlets on Tuesday that those people should schedule another vaccination session as soon as possible.
“We have communicated with Pfizer, which recommended that the patients receive another dose as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said in statements to the media outlets. “While there is no safety risk for the patients, the re-administration is being carried out to ensure that the individuals are fully protected.”
Other city health department officials, including spokesman Patrick Gallahue, said that patients “have received e-mails, phone calls, and are also being sent letters to make sure they are aware of this situation,” reported The Associated Press.
The firm contacted the city’s Department of Health and New York City Vaccine Command Center, Savitsky added in the email before saying that “there should be no adverse health consequences from the vaccine already received.“ Those who got the defective doses can get their ”repeated dose“ right away “in the opposite arm,” he added.
ATC Vaccination Services issued a statement following the incident and apologized.
The Epoch Times has contacted the city’s Department of Health and ATC for comment.