Flu shot mistake by Dr. William Vitale concerns officials

Some of William Vitales patients should get another flu shot because the suspended doctor might have mixed the seasonal vaccine with other immunizations, warns the Nova Scotia Department of Health.

On Thursday, health officials said they are contacting the parents of 27 children who received a flu shot from Vitale in the fall of 2013 because they might not be effective.

"We know that the seasonal or H1N1 flu is active in Canada now," said Dr. Robin Taylor, medical officer of health for the Capital District Health Authority in a release.

"We also know that young children are especially vulnerable to the flu, so we're reaching out to parents to ensure their children are re-vaccinated quickly."

Earlier, other families were warned about general problems with childhood shots. Vitale had his licence suspended by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia after he mixed incompatible vaccines in one syringe and injected them in one shot.

He was first warned against the practice in 2006.

The province said more patients could be affected as they comb through Vitales records.

The province said since the initial news broke, the re-immunization clinic has received 137 calls from patients and they've booked 57 appointments.