MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Dozens of people learned this week that a mistake was made with their first COVID vaccines and now they don’t know what’s next.
Dick Cecchini received his dose on Tuesday at a Hy-Vee pharmacy in Mankato, more than an hour from his home in Lakeville. He received a call from Hy-Vee the following morning informing him of a problem.
The pharmacy says 62 patients received the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which were diluted with sterile water instead of the saline solution provided by Pfizer.
“We don’t know anything. Hold tight. We will get in touch with you ”, Cecchini remembers being informed.
He learned on Friday that there was no reason for medical concern. There are still doubts about how Cecchini and the others will be protected from COVID.
“The first shot, does it do any good? What happens after the second shot? Do you have the same coverage? ”Cecchini said.
Hy-Vee still doesn’t know. Cecchini contacted Pfizer personally. He says they don’t know either.
“If Pfizer doesn’t know, who knows?” Cecchini said. “I’m in limbo.”
Hy-Vee says that whatever the outcome, the 62 patients will not have to look for or wait for another appointment.
“I am quite tolerant of mistakes because I am old and I made a million mistakes myself. How fast do you fix it? ”Cecchini said.
The Minnesota Department of Health says the 62 patients are not likely to have to restart their vaccination cycles. MDH is awaiting confirmation from Pfizer and CDC.