An investigation is underway after someone was vaccinated with a used needle at a Christchurch Hospital clinic on Friday.
Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 response at Canterbury DHB Dr Helen Skinner said the person was immediately told about the error when staff realised.
"On Friday afternoon, 10 December, a needlestick injury occurred at the 'old CHOC' clinic on the Christchurch Hospital Campus. A needle previously used to vaccinate one person was used for a second person’s vaccination.
"Staff immediately advised the second person that the needlestick injury had occurred when they realised.
"Blood samples were subsequently taken from both people and a comprehensive investigation into how the incident occurred is currently underway," Dr Skinner said.
She said the DHB is supporting everyone involved.
"We are doing everything we can to support all three people involved in this incident: the vaccinator, the first person the needle was used on and the second person.
"We will continue to communicate with the person injected with a pre-used needle, supporting them and sharing any new information we receive.
"We would like to thank the staff involved for their quick actions, open communication with everyone affected and their cooperation in the current investigation into this issue. If there are improvements we can make to our systems to reduce the chance of this happening anywhere else, we will certainly be implementing them," she said.
The DHB has apologised to both the people involved.
