(KCRG) – According to the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC), 77 inmates have been given excessive doses of the COVID vaccine at the Iowa State Penitentiary.
Officials say two medical staff members incorrectly administered the Pfizer vaccine to the inmates, with the dose exceeding the amount recommended by the manufacturer.
After being notified of the error, the DOC said they immediately contacted the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for guidance.
The prisoners involved have been notified of the error and are being closely monitored by medical staff, officials said. The CDC and Pfizer recommend that they do not expect any major side effects, but advise the DOC to keep a close eye on the inmates for at least 48 hours. The DOC said it plans to conduct regular medical examinations for several days.
According to the DOC, the only side effects the inmates experience are those usually associated with the Pfizer vaccine.
As a result, the DOC temporarily suspended the administration of vaccines in the prison while an investigation was conducted.
The two nursing staff who administered the vaccines were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to the DOC, 200 inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary received their first dose of COVID vaccine and 48 inmates their second dose. In the department, 1,964 prisoners received their first dose and 214 prisoners received their second dose of vaccination.
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