Vaccine and pharmaceutical errors can have serious consequences, especially when the wrong medication or dosage is administered. While vaccines are a vital part of public health, mistakes in their administration can lead to unintended injuries and significant concern for families. Understanding your rights under Maryland law is crucial if your child has been affected by a pharmacy error.
Walgreens Pharmacy Error Leads to COVID-19 Vaccination of Young Children
An Indiana couple previously reported that their 4- and 5-year-old children were mistakenly given adult doses of the COVID-19 vaccine instead of the flu shots they were scheduled to receive at a local Walgreens pharmacy. The mix-up occurred during a routine vaccination appointment, leaving the parents deeply concerned about the potential health impacts on their young children.
Walgreens notified the parents of the error after the vaccinations were administered. They quickly sought medical advice, and their pediatric cardiologist reported that one child exhibited high blood pressure while the other experienced tachycardia, a condition in which the heart rate is abnormally high. While the long-term effects of this mistake remain uncertain, the incident has understandably caused significant distress for the family.
This was not an isolated incident. In a similar case in Baltimore, Maryland, a 4-year-old was given the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine instead of the flu shot at a Walgreens pharmacy. These cases underscore the importance of proper oversight and safety protocols in administering vaccines, especially to vulnerable populations like young children.
How Can People Prevent Vaccine and Pharmaceutical Injuries
Preventing vaccine and pharmaceutical injuries is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, particularly children who are more vulnerable to dosing errors. Pharmacies and healthcare providers must follow stringent protocols to minimize the risk of mistakes. This includes double-checking patient information, confirming the correct medication and dosage, and ensuring clear communication among staff. For parents, it’s essential to be vigilant during medical appointments—don’t hesitate to ask questions or verify the medication being administered.
Pharmacies should also invest in ongoing staff training to keep up with the latest safety practices and technologies to reduce human error. Implementing automated systems that cross-check prescriptions and vaccinations against patient records can further safeguard against mistakes. When everyone involved in the healthcare process, from providers to patients, is actively verifying that medications are administered correctly, the likelihood of pharmaceutical injuries can be significantly reduced.
If an error does occur, it’s essential to act quickly by seeking medical attention and consulting with a legal professional to understand your rights. Ensuring accountability helps the affected individuals and encourages better safety practices, ultimately preventing similar incidents in the future.
What Legal Recourse Do Families Have After a Vaccine Error in Maryland?
In Maryland, families affected by pharmaceutical errors, such as receiving the wrong vaccine or dosage, may have legal recourse to seek compensation for any harm caused. Under Maryland law, pharmacies and healthcare providers have a duty to ensure that patients receive the correct medication in the appropriate dosage. When a pharmacy fails to meet this standard of care, and a patient is harmed as a result, the affected family may be able to file a medical malpractice or personal injury claim.
To pursue a successful claim, it is necessary to prove that the pharmacy’s error directly caused harm to the patient. This could include physical injuries, psychological distress, or other health-related issues that arose due to the incorrect administration of a vaccine. An experienced attorney can help gather the necessary evidence, such as medical records and expert testimony, to build a strong case on your behalf.
How Maryland Law Protects Patients from Pharmaceutical Errors
Maryland law provides several protections for patients harmed by pharmaceutical errors. Pharmacies must adhere to strict protocols to prevent such mistakes, and failure to do so can result in significant liability. If a pharmacy error causes injury, the injured party may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any other damages related to the error.
Additionally, Maryland law allows for claims to be filed on behalf of minors who are injured due to medical or pharmaceutical negligence. This means that parents can seek compensation for the immediate medical costs and any future care that may be required due to the injury. In cases where the long-term effects of the error are unknown, an attorney can help ensure that any settlement or judgment considers the potential need for ongoing treatment or monitoring.