Nurse giving flu shots reused syringes — NJ agency

There are low risks of infection, but still the employees should test for hepatitis B and C and HIV, said state and local health officials. It’s reported the needles were changed between patients but the syringe was reused multiple times. Otsuka Pharmaceutical said in statement it was alarmed at the breach and says employee health is its top concern.

Mary Roback gave the shots to employees at the pharmaceutical company Otsuka in West Windsor.

Healthcare provider TotalWellness confirmed that the nurse contracted to carry out the flu shots had ‘failed to follow proper medical procedures and safeguards.

It could be months before patients know they are in the clear.

Workers who received the faulty shots were offered free full-strength vaccines and testing over the past weekend, according to the N.J. Department of Health.

Employees at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals were further advised to retake the flu shot after the nurse administered a vaccine below the recommended dose.

“Receiving less than the recommended amount is not harmful, but you might not be fully protected against the flu”, the statement read.

Have you gotten your flu shot yet?

“Such conduct evidences that (the nurse) is a clear and imminent danger to the public warranting a temporary suspension of her license to practice nursing in the state”, the order states. TotalWellness is dedicated to ensuring all participants receive any and all appropriate screenings, care and counseling until this matter is resolved. It is believed that she used a total of two syringes during her day’s work.