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Care Opinion

Covid-19 vaccination experience

Posted By Errron78

"Covid-19 vaccination experience"

About: Kimberley Population Health Unit Kununurra Hospital

(as the patient),

Recently, I went to the Kununurra Hospital covid clinic to receive my second Pfizer vaccine. 

I recall that the nurse who administrated the vaccine inserted the needle into my upper left arm and then took the needle out without actually injecting the vaccine. Upon disposing of the needle, I believe the nurse realised they had not administrated the vaccine and, while laughing about it stated that they didn't even inject the vaccine. I recall, they then questioned themselves and asked me if they had, by saying, Did I? To which I responded that I had definitely felt the needle go in.

As the nurse had not yet disposed of the needle, I noticed that they used the same needle, in the same arm, to administer the vaccine.

While the nurse was apologetic regarding their mistake, upon leaving I recall they said something along the lines of, the other nurses will find it hilarious that I did that.

The following 24 hours the site of the vaccine was a lot more painful than any other vaccines I have received and I can't help but think that was due to the needle being inserted twice. 

I found the entire experience to be quite invasive and very unprofessional. 

I am also left questioning why the needle was reused, instead of being disposed of? 

If it had of been my first Covid-19 vaccine I would be very hesitant to return to the same clinic. 

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Responses

Response from Emma Croager, COVID Vaccination Lead, WACHS-Kimberley, Kimberley Population Health Unit, WA Country Health Service-Kimberley 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Emma Croager
COVID Vaccination Lead, WACHS-Kimberley, Kimberley Population Health Unit,
WA Country Health Service-Kimberley

Manages population health matters

Submitted on 19/10/2021 at 10:23 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 10:24 AM

Dear Errron78,

I’m sorry to hear about your experience at the Kununurra COVID Vaccination Clinic. The experience that you have shared is very concerning and I’m sorry that you left the clinic with questions and hesitancy about the quality of care that was provided to you.

It is very important to me that community members feel safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, so I am very grateful that you have been able to provide us with more information about your experience offline so that we can address this directly. I would like you to know that our expectations around Clinical Best Practice and communication has been discussed and reviewed with the team in light of your experience.

The WA Country Health Services (WACHS) does have strict protocols around delivery of vaccines at the COVID-19 vaccination clinics, as well as infection control and vaccination more generally. All staff who administer immunisations are required to undertake approved training and achieve competencies. It is certainly our expectation that these protocols are adhered to in order to provide high quality and safe, patient centred care in our vaccination clinics in the Kimberley. Please know that I will be undertaking a review of our clinical practices to ensure they are of the highest standard.

I would welcome your call if you would like to discuss your experience further or to clarify any other concerns that you may have about your care. Please don’t hesitate to call me on 9194 1602. My name is Emma Croager and I am the COVID-19 vaccination lead for WACHS Kimberley.

Thank you very much for the important role that you have played in getting your COVID-19 vaccine and helping to protect our community.

Best wishes,

Emma Croager

Vaccination Lead, WACHS-K

Kimberley Population Health Unit

WA Country Health Service – Kimberley

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