Okinawa Air Force Clinic Says It Gave 'Potentially Ineffective' Childhood Vaccines as First Day of School Looms

Officials at Kadena Air Base in Japan said that childhood vaccines administered at a clinic over nearly three months might be "potentially ineffective," with the news coming right as students on base are set to return to school.

The vaccinations were for measles, mumps and rubella, as well as varicella, a condition also known as chickenpox that is treated with the Varivax vaccine. The vaccines -- part of the recommended schedule of vaccinations for children -- were administered by the Kadena Immunization Clinic between May 3 and July 29.

"There are no assessed health risks associated with the administration of these vaccines," the Kadena Medical Clinic said on Facebook. "In the coming days, the 18th Medical Group immunizations staff will reach out to impacted patients to advise on corrective actions."

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First Lt. Robert Dabbs, a spokesman for the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, told Military.com that the issue arose from improper storage of the vaccines.

"The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and varicella (chickenpox/Varivax) vaccines were temporarily stored at colder than recommended temperatures," Dabbs said. "The 18th Wing is conducting a thorough investigation of this event to ensure the highest standards of safe, quality care for our community."

Dabbs declined to quantify the total number of individuals who were given the potentially ineffective vaccines.

During the investigation, the Kadena Medical Clinic announced on Facebook that the 18th Medical Group Immunization Clinic "will be closed during this process, and United States Naval Hospital Okinawa is available for urgent needs."

The naval hospital is also located on the island.

Both inoculations are required to attend Department of Defense Education Activity Schools, per public documents. The 2024-2025 school year for students attending Department of Defense schools in the Pacific is set to start next week, according to the online calendars.

Officials advised that people who have not been contacted by the 18th Medical Group clinic staff by Aug. 22 should call the 18th Medical Group Patient Advocate at "DSN 630-4146 or Comm 098-960-4146," according to the Facebook post.

This isn't the first time that the Kadena Medical Clinic has made errors when administering vaccines.

In January, the clinic announced on Facebook that staff had "determined that four pediatric patients were administered incorrect vaccines while receiving care."

Clinic staff contacted parents to check on children and address any questions or concerns, the base said at that time.

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