A leading article published in the editions of November 9th about the administration of whooping cough vaccine to children in a school in Newbridge made certain assumptions that were not justified by the findings of the subsequent investigation of the case. The article stated that the parents of the children had refused the three in one vaccine, and said that the medical profession's commitment to this vaccine (which protects against whooping cough as well as diphtheria and tetanus) might have overridden the parents' right to decide. As the findings of the Eastern Health Board's investigation make clear, the parents were asked only to give permission for the administration of the two in one vaccine (against tetanus and diphtheria), which they did, and the administration of the three in one resulted from the human error of taking the wrong vials from the fridge. The doctor's intention was simply to provide a two in one booster dose, as had been explained to the parents, and as they had accepted.

{CORRECTIONS} 96111200081