Covid-19 Delta outbreak: Christchurch resident vaccinated with used needle

A Christchurch resident has been injected with a used needle when getting a Covid booster.

On Friday, a needle previously used to vaccinate one person was used again.

CDHB Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 response, Dr Helen Skinner, said once staff at the Christchurch Hospital clinic realised the mistake, they immediately advised the second person.

She said the DHB is in contact with all three people involved and blood samples have been taken from those who received the injection.

The DHB has apologised to both people.

A comprehensive investigation into how the incident occurred is currently under way, she said.

"We are doing everything we can to support all three people involved in this incident. We will continue to communicate with the person injected with a pre-used needle, supporting them and sharing any new information we receive.

"We would like to thank the staff involved for their quick actions, open communication with everyone affected and their co-operation in the current investigation into this issue," she said.

"If there are improvements we can make to our systems to reduce the chance of this happening anywhere else, we will certainly be implementing them."