900 NJ Kids May be Revaccinated After Improper Storage

Up to 900 Ocean County kids may have to be revaccinated after vaccines were poorly refrigerated. According to a recent nj.com article, a doctor at Southern Ocean Pediatrics and Family Medicine Manahawkin, NJ improperly refrigerated vaccines that covered measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A & B, rotavirus, DTaP/Tdap, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, meningococcal and HPV.

Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett noted that the state suspended the doctor from the vaccine program in July after an inspection revealed the improper refrigeration. While the unrefrigerated vaccines are not harmful, their efficacy is likely affected. The medical center has set up a hotline where parents can call to determine if their child needs to be vaccinated again.