800 Mishandled Vaccine Doses Administered At Fort Meade

FORT MEADE, MD — Officials said Fort Meade administered about 800 mishandled doses of the coronavirus vaccine. The U.S. Army base announced the error Thursday, noting that that 80 vials of the Moderna immunization were handled outside the recommended temperature range. It is not clear who is at fault.

The "improperly handled" shots are not dangerous, advised Moderna and the Immunization Health Branch of the Defense Health Agency. Officials don't know how effective those inoculations were, however.

Vaccine providers will offer the affected residents an additional dose, just in case the mishandled ones were less protective. Moderna's immunization usually requires two injections separated by 28 days.

Health care workers gave the inoculations between April 7 and April 12 at the McGill Training Center. That clinic is located in Fort Meade's Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center.

The base said staffers immediately notified recipients when they learned the vaccines were compromised. Anybody who thinks they got one of these immunizations can call (410) 212-4086.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

Anybody 16 or older can now get the coronavirus vaccine at providers across the state. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the infection and inoculation metrics in Anne Arundel County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play.

RELATED:

• Vaccine Reaches 25 Percent Of Anne Arundel As Cases Fall
• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Anne Arundel County
• Anne Arundel Pauses Use Of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
• Hogan Adds Vaccine Outreach; MD Passes 4M Doses
• Hogan Visits Navy Stadium Mass Vaccination Site

Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.