Hundreds of children in one New Jersey County may need to be re-vaccinated due to vaccine storage issues.
The New Jersey Department of Health said vaccines used in a low-cost program at Dr. Michael Bleiman’s Southern Ocean Pediatrics and Family Medicine in Manahawkin were possible poorly refrigerated.
As a result, the shots to around 900 children may not be as effective for a range of preventable childhood diseases. "The vaccines the children received include measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A & B, rotavirus, DTaP/Tdap, Hib, pneumococcal, polio, meningococcal and HPV," said health officials in a news release.
The children are in no danger, said health officials. But, they urged any children vaccinated between November 2014 and July 28, 2016 be check out for possible re-vaccination as the vaccines the children received may not be as effective as first thought.
The State Attorney General's Division of Consumer Affairs filed a complaint with the State Board of Medical Examiners for allegations of gross negligence, professional misconduct and other violations against Dr. Bleiman.
A woman who answered the phone at Bleiman's office said no one from the practice had any comment about the allegations.
A New Jersey Health Hotline has been set up for parents, guardians and other family members with questions about whether their children should be evaluated for a re-vaccination. You can call the Hotline at 1-866-448-2432.
