MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Dozens of people learned this week that a mistake was made with their first COVID vaccine shots, and now they do not know what comes next.
Dick Cecchini received his dose Tuesday at a Hy-Vee pharmacy in Mankato, more than an hour from his Lakeville home. He received a call from Hy-Vee the next morning to let him know of a problem.
According to the pharmacy, 62 patients received the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine diluted with sterile water instead of the salt provided by Pfizer.
“We know nothing. Hang on. We’ll get you in your hands, ‘Cecchini recalls.
He learned on Friday there was no reason for medical concern. There are still questions about how protected Cecchini and the others will be against COVID.
‘Does it do the first shot? What happens after the second shot? Do you have the same coverage? Cecchini said.
He-Vee does not know it yet. Cecchini personally reached out to Pfizer. He says they do not know either.
“If Pfizer does not know, then who knows?” Cecchini said. “I’m in a limbo.”
Hy-Vee says whatever the outcome, the 62 patients do not have to search or wait for another appointment.
‘I’m pretty tolerant of mistakes because I’m old and have made a million of them myself. How fast do you fix it? Cecchini said.
The Minnesota Department of Health says it is unlikely that the 62 patients will have to begin their vaccination cycles. The MDH is awaiting confirmation from Pfizer and the CDC.