Jever (DPA) – A case of potential vaccination with saline solution in the Lower Saxony district of Friesland may affect much more people than initially imagined.
Instead of the previous 8,557 people, 1626 more people could possibly have received syringes with saline solution, as the district announced on Friday. This increases the number of people who must now be vaccinated as soon as possible to a total of 10,183.
District Administrator Sven Ambrosi (SPD) said other suspected cases were discovered during a more detailed investigation of the accused nurse’s working hours. A comparison of the time known from the duty roster with the actual working hours of the woman shows that she had performed additional duties. The number of potential victims increases, Ambrosi said. “Of course we will inform them immediately.” Vaccinations done between March 5 and April 24 may be affected. Earlier, the district had embraced vaccination only till April 20.
On April 21, the registered nurse working at the district’s vaccination center admitted to filling six syringes with mostly saline solution. She had dropped a vial of vaccine while mixing, which she said she wanted to cover. The crime came to light because the woman had told one of her colleagues about it. On Tuesday, the district and police announced that, according to further testimony, it could not be ruled out that the woman had drawn forward syringes with a saline solution. To catch potentially missing vaccinations, all affected people should be re-vaccinated by the district as a precautionary measure. The accused explained to his lawyer that the April 21 incident was a one-time incident.
According to the information, about one tenth resident of the district is now affected by follow-up vaccination. “It’s, of course, something that’s monstrous,” Ambrosi said. The trust was damaged and the vaccination campaign in the district would have consequences. “But we still advertise: get vaccinated.” Anyone who no longer wishes to be vaccinated at the vaccination center in Friesland can also contact family and company doctors.
The first follow-up vaccination started on Friday at the vaccination center of the district. The district spokesperson said that 200 to 400 people would be vaccinated daily in the catch-up appointment. For this the staff has been increased. Neighboring vaccination centers also help with follow-up vaccinations. Around 5000 people had registered for re-vaccination within three days till Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the police admitted to communication breakdown in the matter. The accused’s counsel had contradicted the initial statements of the authorities that his client had prepared six syringes with saline solution alone in April. The police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office have also now corroborated the lawyer’s statements. Therefore, the accused had also stated in the preliminary interrogation that he had filled six syringes with the vaccine residue from the remaining vials. Police said that in earlier communications on the matter, it was “not presented differently”.
According to the police and the district, however, this information does not change the risk assessment based on which vaccination is now starting. It is illegal to mix residual vaccines from different ampoules, District Administrator Ambrosi stressed. “I would also like to say that it does not relieve the burden, but confirms a certain intention to cover, as a clear liquid is more noticeable than a somewhat cloudy one.” The saline solution alone is clear, whereas mixing with the biotech vaccine produces a cloudy substance. Ambrosi said the public prosecutor’s office was investigating a preliminary suspicion that the accused’s vaccination card may have been tampered with, confirming the district was particularly careful.
