Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Thomas Tsang has apologised to the parents of children given the wrong dosage of Panadol distributed to those who received free pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at Maternal & Child-health Centres yesterday.

According to procedure, vaccinators give each child a bottle of liquid Panadol in case they have a fever as a side effect of the injection.

Dr Tsang said the concentration of Panadol was the same in all bottles, but those for children aged less than a year old have a label stating half a teaspoon should be taken four times a day, while those for children over a year old have a label stating one teaspoon should be taken four times a day.

It is believed at least one patient has taken a dosage for an older child.

A total of 4,525 children received the vaccine. The Centre for Health Protection found 300 parents today and informed them of the mistake.

Dr Tsang said from next Sunday staff will be designated to Panadol distribution at each centre and the different types of bottles will be placed separately to avoid confusion. Staff will be briefed before they start work.

Parents can call the Centre for Health Protection hotline 2125 2125 for enquiries.