An estimated 4,300 people in California have received a smaller coronavirus vaccine than they should because of a syringe problem.
According to KTVU, the Oakland Coliseum website received orange-capped syringes, which left a third of the vaccine stuck to the bottom of the plastic container. The problem was finally detected on Monday, but people vaccinated before that time would have received only 0.2 ml of Pfizer vaccine instead of the optimal 0.3 ml.
The California Office of Emergency Services, which helps manage the site with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said the high-level meetings took place on Tuesday afternoon after whistleblowers alerted the issue.
Cal OES spokesman Brian Ferguson reportedly said he did not believe anyone had been formally underdosed and that there was no need to contact people who received the lowest vaccine.
On Wednesday, he said authorities were told the dosage was in line with medical guidelines and protocols.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert, said patients are “probably protected” and could make up for the missed dose in the second round of the vaccine.
The incident took place while Governor Gavin Newsom expressed optimism about the state’s vaccination efforts.