For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 16, 2021
ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 16, 2021 — The Montgomery County Council issued the following statement after being informed by the Department of Health and Human Services that 98 students at South Lake Elementary School in Montgomery Village received a diluted amount of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a pediatric vaccine clinic on Nov. 10.
"Councilmembers were extremely concerned to learn about the diluted vaccines that 98 students received at the South Lake Elementary School during a Nov. 10 vaccination clinic. We shared our concerns directly with our Acting Health Officer Dr. James Bridgers who has assured us that the department is conducting a top-to-bottom review of this issue and has identified human error as the cause of the diluted doses.
"We understand the anxiety and distress that this mistake has caused for the students who received these diluted doses and their family members, and we will continue working with our public health team to make it right. The Department of Health and Human Services is reaching out to the families impacted and has scheduled an additional vaccination clinic at the school on Nov. 17.
"Councilmembers have been assured that this is an isolated situation and that staff have already received additional training on reconstitution and administering pediatric doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Given this information, we implore our residents to not allow this one situation to deter their commitment to getting their children vaccinated.
"COVID-19 vaccines work, and it remains essential that all eligible young people receive their vaccinations as soon as possible. We have confidence in our public health team and its members who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that more than 78 percent of our population is fully vaccinated and has vaccinated more than 11,000 students with pediatric doses.
"The public health and safety of our young people is a paramount concern for all Councilmembers, and we will continue working with our public health team to ensure that they receive the highest standard of care possible."
Release ID: 21-466