Instead, they were given a Regeneron antibody product, which is used to treat Covid-19.
“The moment we were notified of what happened, we acted immediately to correct it and immediately reviewed and strengthened our protocols to improve our distribution process to prevent this from happening again,” said Major-General James Hoyer, deputy general of the Guard West Virginia National in the statement.
The National Guard is leading the vaccine distribution planning and logistics.
The Boone County Health Department said it notified the 42 people and offered to give them the Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday.
Authorities said it was an isolated incident, but did not explain how the confusion occurred when they were contacted for further comment.
Boone County is south of Charleston, the state capital.
The National Guard reported that the Department of Health and Human Resources will monitor whoever received antibodies as a precaution.
Dr. Clay Marsh, the state’s Covid-19 czar, said there were no risks to the 42 people.
“The product administered is antibodies that fight against COVID-19,” said Marsh in the statement. “In fact, this product was the same product that was administered to President Trump when he was infected. Although this injection is not harmful, it has been replaced by the vaccine. But this occurrence offers our leadership team an important opportunity to review and improve safety. and vaccination process for each West Virginia. “
The National Guard said 7,855 were vaccinated on Wednesday in West Virginia.