A grandmother-of-four has a terrifying six month wait to see if she has been infected by a dirty needle used for her FLU JAB.
Heather Johnson was horrified to discover a nurse attempted to administer the annual injection with a needle taken from a blister pack of USED syringes.
A doctor came to visit the mum-of-two and her husband, Ian, 60, at their home in Brimmington, Chesterfield, Derbys., four days later to explain that a nurse had put a pack of used needles back into the fridge – where unused vaccines are stored.
Heather, who is a carer for her mother, is now worried she could be carrying any number of blood-borne illnesses such as HIV or Hepatitis and even fears kissing her grandchildren.
After visiting the Royal Primary Care medical centre in Stavely, for a routine appointment on November 13, Heather, 58, said: “I was asked if I wanted a flu jab while I was there and I said yes.
“When the nurse went to give me the injection, she put the needle in my arm and said ‘Oh, it’s empty’.
“She took another needle out and that was empty too. The nurse didn’t explain anything to me, just got out another pack and gave me the jab as normal.
“I was worried I had been given an injection of air but the nurse said it was fine and I was sent on my way.”
It was only when a doctor rang later on in the week and said he would be around in 10 minutes that she started to panic.
The doctor, a Dr Perez, explained that they had whittled the patients the used needles could have been used on down to 12 – and that the chances of infection were low.
Heather said: “I was told that, as a precaution, I would need to have a blood test in three, and then six months, to check I had not contracted anything like HIV or Hepatitis B.
“These are very scary illnesses. I was shocked to hear this. I was, and still am, very upset and worried.”
Heather, who is married to Ian, 60, lies awake at night worrying she might be suffering from a terrifying illness.
She said: “I look after our grandchildren. I am scared I might contaminate them. I am scared I might become too ill to look after them.”
Postman Ian said: “We were angry that the doctor seemed very blase about the whole incident.
“He just explained it away by saying: ‘Well we take risks everyday’, but I don’t agree with that. My wife was having a flu jab to eliminate risk.
“The surgery have not been in touch with us at all since it happened and we feel neglected. My wife is very worried.”
Royal Primary Care medical centre has been contacted for comment.
ENDS
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