Nurse and health center employee are investigated for vaccine diversion

A nurse and another employee, who work at the Noraldino Lima Health Center, in the western region of Belo Horizonte, are being investigated for the diversion of 12 doses of the flu vaccine. The case occurred two weeks ago at the health center where they work, and is monitored by the Municipal Inspector General.

According to a complaint received by O Tempo, the nurse had aspirated 12 doses of the vaccine into a syringe at the request of this health unit employee. According to the complaint, she had requested the doses to vaccinate her family and friends, who would not be in the priority group to receive the immunization.

The vaccines would have been administered outside the health center, which constitutes an irregular practice. Only bedridden and debilitated patients can receive vaccination at home, with authorization from the health center manager.

In a note, the City of Belo Horizonte said that the “Municipal Health Department informs that it received the complaint, via the Municipal Inspector’s Office. The case is under investigation.” The Internal Affairs Department was questioned, and the material will be updated with the position.

The vaccine

The doses offered are trivalent, that is, they protect against influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and influenza B.

You can get vaccinated:

Children aged 6 months to under 6 years (5 years, 11 months and 29 days);
Health Workers;
Pregnant women;
Postpartum women (up to 45 days after giving birth);
Teachers of basic and higher education;
Indian people;
Elderly people aged 60 and over;
Homeless people;
Security and rescue forces professionals;
Armed Forces professionals;
People with chronic non-communicable diseases and other special clinical conditions (over 6 months);
People with permanent disabilities;
Truck drivers;
Public road transport workers (urban and long-distance);
Port workers;
Employees of the deprivation of liberty system;
Population deprived of liberty, in addition to adolescents and young people under socio-educational measures (between 12 and 21 years old).

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