On Jan 23, I went to a clinic in OUB Centre, run by a well-known medical group, to have my third and final injection of Twinrix (a combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine).

I had my first two doses at the group's clinic and details like name of vaccine (Twinrix) and dates were recorded in my Patient Vaccination Appointment Card. This card was handed over to the clinic's counter staff. Shortly after, I entered the doctor's room and he proceeded to administer the vaccination without saying much.

I made my payment and was about to leave when I noticed the name Engerix B instead of Twinrix on my receipt. I sought clarification from the counter staff, who arranged for me to see the doctor again. The doctor admitted his oversight in giving me only a Hepatitis B vaccine instead of Twinrix. After reviewing some medical notes, he suggested that I be injected with Epalax, supposedly a Hepatitis A vaccine. Alternatively, the doctor said I could choose to forego my last dose of Hepatitis A vaccine as my first two doses would provide me with some protection, though this was not ideal.

I was very upset as I had thought that I had my last injection for Hepatitis A and B vaccine (I had developed a fear of needles ever since I fainted after receiving injections on my thighs for a serious illness when I was very young). However, in order to ensure optimal Hepatitis A immunity, I reluctantly agreed to be injected for a second time that day. For my peace of mind, I requested for Havrix (the Hepatitis A vaccine which is combined with Engerix B to make up Twinrix).

To my surprise, the doctor said that the group does not stock Havrix as supplies are procured through a tender process. This was verified by one female counter staff who handles supplies. She then suggested that I be given Twinrix, which the doctor concurred. I declined as that would mean two doses of Engerix B in a single day. I had heard that a possible side effect of Hepatitis B vaccinations is fever. Won't two doses in a day make any resulting fever worse? I could be wrong but somehow I just felt uneasy.

Upon my request, the female counter staff agreed to check whether it was possible to bring in Havrix and revert within the next two days. She suggested that perhaps I should go to another clinic if they were unable to bring in Havrix. I was then refunded for my Engerix B vaccination. The following day, the same female counter staff called to inform me that they were unable to bring in Havrix.

I eventually had my Havrix vaccination at another clinic. Looking back, I consider myself fortunate in that I had made the effort to collect and check the receipt and thus was able to spot the mistake. If not, I would have assumed that I had completed my Hepatitis A vaccination when I did not. While the mistake was not considered serious for young men like myself, such incorrect medication/vaccination could have dire consequences for the elderly, people with weakened immune systems or those who have life-threatening allergies to the medication/vaccination.

Chan Chan Fai