This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6721765.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Vaccine blunder report revealed Vaccine blunder report revealed
(about 2 hours later)
A critical report into why more than 800 patients were given potentially ineffective vaccines is to be released. A combination of "systematic failures" led to more than 800 patients receiving potentially ineffective vaccines, a report has found.
Jabs for illnesses such as hepatitis and meningitis were kept in fridges at the wrong temperature at the Northfield practise in Aberdeen. Jabs for illnesses such as hepatitis and meningitis were stored at the wrong temperature at the Northfield-Mastrick Medical Practice in Aberdeen.
In February, BBC Scotland revealed that the report would highlight a combination of systematic failures. NHS Grampian offered patients, including more than 400 children, booster injections as a precaution.
Patients, including more than 400 children, were offered booster injections as a precaution. NHS Grampian apologised to all of those affected by the blunder.
Health chiefs ordered an investigation after the blunder came to light.
The findings of the report were revealed by BBC Scotland in February this year.
The investigation by senior health board managers found temperature recordings of the fridges in which the vaccines were kept were "incomplete".
'Lack of understanding'
They also found the temperatures were outside acceptable limits on a significant number of dates.
These stretched back two years from September 2006.
The report states: "It is the considered view of the investigation team that the root causes of this incident are a combination of systematic failures.
"None of these failures were in isolation the main cause of this incident; however, a lack of understanding of the significance of the temperature control processes was evident."
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that vaccines must be stored between 2C and 8C to maintain their potency.
I would like to apologise to all patients and everyone who has had a lot of upset over this incidentReplaced fridges Dr Pauline StrachanNHS Grampian
The report makes a series of recommendations, including a review and update of vaccine policies.
Regular staff appraisals are also advised to ensure they are complying with the standards required.
No-one is thought to have fallen ill because of the mistake.No-one is thought to have fallen ill because of the mistake.
Dr Pauline Strachan, NHS Grampian's deputy medical director, said: "On behalf of NHS Grampian I would like to apologise to all patients and everyone who has had a lot of upset over this incident.
"I would like to reassure the public that although this very unfortunate incident has happened, we have learnt the lessons from it and have put in place new practices and policies to ensure it does not happen again."
Earlier this year it was revealed that another surgery at Garthdee had similar problems.Earlier this year it was revealed that another surgery at Garthdee had similar problems.
NHS Grampian has already replaced fridges across the area. The Scottish Executive also launched a nationwide review of the storage of vaccines.NHS Grampian has already replaced fridges across the area. The Scottish Executive also launched a nationwide review of the storage of vaccines.
The then Health Minister Andy Kerr described the situation at surgeries in the north east as simply not good enough.The then Health Minister Andy Kerr described the situation at surgeries in the north east as simply not good enough.
The NHS Grampian Board will consider the report on Tuesday. The NHS Grampian Board met on Tuesday to discuss the report.
Has your family been affected by the vaccine problems in Aberdeen? You can e-mail us at newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk.Has your family been affected by the vaccine problems in Aberdeen? You can e-mail us at newsonlinescotland@bbc.co.uk.