Several people who went to a clinic at a Virginia Kroger this week to get the COVID-19 vaccine accidentally received empty syringes instead.
A spokesman for the grocery and pharmacy salesman told NBC’s Richmond affiliate station WWBT Wednesday that the incident at the Midlothian suburb site was an “honest mistake,” adding that “all affected customers have been contacted and have now received the COVID-19 vaccine. ”
“We apologize for this review and the inconvenience to these customers,” the spokesperson added.
Kroger told the local ABC branch WRIC that “fewer than 10” people were affected by the accident at The Little Clinic site, and also said the company’s previous statements that the syringes were filled with saline were found to be incorrect after a more thorough investigation.
Carrie Hawes, one of the individuals who received a blank shot, told WWBT she had an appointment Monday night to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccination at the Kroger location.
Hawes, who was eligible for the vaccine under Group 1B for people over 65 and younger with underlying medical conditions, told the local news outlet that she was called the next day to let her know about the error.
“My initial reaction was shock and surprise, and a little bit of fear,” she said, adding that she could return to the store within hours of the call to receive the vaccination.
A Kroger spokesperson told WRIC that the company has been in contact with the Virginia Department of Health to address the problem, and that clinic employees have now been retrained on how to properly administer the vaccines.
In Kroger’s statement to WWBT, the company said it has administered more than 836,000 coronavirus vaccines to date at its locations across the country.
“Kroger encourages everyone to get the vaccine that is available to them as soon as they become eligible,” the statement added.
The Hill has contacted Kroger for more information.