The Western National Guard said 42 people had been accidentally injected with antibodies to fight COVID-19 Instead of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine, health officials said. Regeneron antibody injections were given during a clinic hosted by the Boone County Department of Health. The guard said he did not believe there was any risk of harm to the 42 people who were shot incorrectly.
“When we were notified of what had happened, we acted immediately to correct it and immediately revised and strengthened our protocols to improve our distribution process, to prevent this from happening again.” General James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, said in a press release on Thursday.
Anyone who was shot incorrectly has been contacted or is in the process of being contacted, according to the statement. The State Department of Health and Human Resources will monitor them and give them priority status for obtaining the vaccine.
“The product administered is antibodies that fight COVID-19,” said Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s COVID-19 tsar, according to CBS affiliate WOWK-TV. “In fact, this product was the same one that was administered to President Trump when he became infected. Although this injection is not harmful, it has been replaced with the vaccine. But this appearance gives our management team an important opportunity to review and improve the safety and vaccination process for every West Virginian. “
The station reported on Thursday that more than 800 West Virginians are currently in hospital battling COVID-19. The state set a record on December 31 with 801 current hospitalizations. Of these patients, 206 are in intensive care and a record 99 people are currently on a ventilator.
The Associated Press contributed.