More than 2,000 patients at a Wolverhampton GP practice may have been given useless vaccines over the past two decades, health chiefs admitted today.
Children given the MMR vaccine, pensioners and holidaymakers are among those being urged to get repeat jabs after the blunder at Bushbury Medical Centre.
Medical experts fear the vaccines may have been rendered useless after spotting a storage fridge had been left open, which could leave people vulnerable to illnesses such as diphtheria, tetanus and meningitis.
Two doctors could now face disciplinary action.
Two thirds of those affected are thought to be patients who received childhood vaccines but who could now be adults. It is thought the final cost to taxpayers of the mistake could run to £100,000.
Dr Adrian Phillips, Wolverhampton’s director of public health, said today:
The breach came to light in January during a visit by a health worker to Bushbury Medical Centre, in Northwood Park Road, who noticed the fridge was open.
The PCT suspended vaccinations at the surgery and, fearing batches since it opened 21 years ago could also have been damaged, launched an inquiry.
An investigation is now under way into immunisation procedures at the main centre and its second practice – the Wednesfield Medical Centre, on Neachells Lane.
The surgery is run by Dr Jagadish Grandhi, who is under investigation for a separate matter by the GMC, and his wife Dr Valli Grandhi, who is “under consideration for investigation” over the fridge breach.
Dr Phillips, said: “As a precaution, we have decided to recall all those who have been immunised at the practice since it opened in 1987.”
All 5,247 practice patients have received letters.
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