German Authorities have instructed more than 8,000 individuals to retake their Covid-19 vaccinations after a nurse is suspected of administering saline instead of the Covid-19 jab.
Many of those affected were aged over 70 – a high-risk group in the pandemic.
“I am totally shocked by this episode,” Sven Ambrosy, a local councilor, said on Facebook as local authorities issued the call to around 8,600 residents who may have been affected.
Regional broadcaster NDR says 8,557 people have been asked to go back for repeat vaccinations, and so far about 3,600 new appointments have been confirmed.
Approximately 3,600 affected people have made new vaccination appointments with the district, and around 2,000 more people have also contacted the information hotline, authorities said.
The 40-year-old admitted to giving saline to six people as a cover-up after accidentally dropping a vaccine vial on the floor.
The woman’s lawyer Christoph Klatt told news agency DPA that it had been “a one-time incident.”
She’d panicked after breaking a vaccine vial — and out of fear of dismissal, filled the vial with saline solution to continue doing her job.
Police investigations later revealed that the suspect had administered saline instead of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
Police investigator Peter Beer, speaking earlier at a news conference covered by German media, said that based on witness statements there was “a reasonable suspicion of danger”.
