Think I've made a big mistake over flu vaccine!

[Frenchduck]

The short story is that I got the flu vaccine in France from the pharmacist as I wasn't well enough to have it at administered at the time. I took it with me in the car to Spain and it was administered at the pharmacy on Saturday. That was 15 days later. I did not realise until yesterday that it should have been stored between 2 and 8 degrees C. I'm sure when I did this on a previous occasion I was told it didn't need to go in the fridge. Now I am worried that at the very least the vaccine won't have any effect but what's worse it might have an adverse effect. I'm on weekly injections of Tocilizumab for GCA. I can't believe how stupid I've been as it could have easily been kept cold with my other injections. Any advice or reassurance would be very welcome. Thanks in advance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry - the only references I can find do say it shouldn't be out of the refrigerator for more than 20 minutes. It does seem to be very critical for vaccines.

immunize.org/wp-content/upl...

If you feel OK that is probably a relief - but I think you need to request a revaccine. Discuss it with a local pharmacist perhaps? But it is likely to have been denatured by not having the cold chain maintained.

[Frenchduck in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your quick reply. I am annoyed with myself for not being more careful. Normally the pharmacist puts those kind of vac cines or injections into a little cool bag and tells you to put them in the fridge. This didn't happen and I didn't even look at the box. Too late now. Thankfully so far I feel okay. The pharmacist here didn't ask the question either. Usually they are so good at keeping you informed.

[Gimme]

I would go back to the pharmacist who administered it and query it with them. At the least, they will be able to check with the manufacturer. It is possible that the vaccine may have been ineffective if stored incorrectly, but you need to take advice before considering having another shot.

[Frenchduck in reply to Gimme]

Thank you Gimme. You are quite right and I wrote to the manufacturer this morning as the pharmacy is in France and I am in Spain! I am waiting for a reply. I think it is likely to be ineffective but as you say advice is needed.

[Gimme in reply to Frenchduck]

Just had a thought. Have you checked the label/leaflet? The manufacturer should have a medical information department that you can call and they should give either a telephone number or email address. I don't know how you have tried to contact them, but a call should give you an answer more quickly than by mail. Your user name suggests that you might be a French speaker, so language shouldn't be an issue if it is a French company.