Health Crisis in Mt. Sterling caused by Mishandling of Vaccines
In February of this year, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Department for Public Health began investigating vaccination associated infections after a number of people contracted infections associated with vaccinations given by “Location Vaccination” in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana since Sept. 1, 2018.
“If you received vaccine from this provider, we strongly encourage you to consider getting another round to ensure you are fully immunized and not at risk for contracting illness,” said Dr. Jeff Howard, DPH commissioner.
The Mt. Sterling-based vaccine provider is owned and operated by Fairshinda Sabounchi McLaughlin under the medical license of Dr. Paul E. McLaughlin. According to the Lexington Herald Leader, The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, in an agreed order, placed Dr. Paul E. McLaughlin on five years probation, beginning immediately, and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine for delegating to someone without a medical license and because he “contributed to a public health crisis.”
Dr. McLaughlin delegated administration of the vaccines and treatment of the infections caused by them to his wife, Fairshinda McLaughlin, who is not authorized to practice medicine in the state of Kentucky. According to KDPH, it was unclear whether Paul McLaughlin knew that his wife was calling in prescriptions, but the prescriptions were submitted under his name and license.
University of Louisville infectious disease specialist Dr. Ruth Carrico said human error in administering the vaccine likely caused the problem. “Practices by someone to provide care to prevent disease actually did the very opposite,” Carrico said. “It actually resulted in patient harm, and when you look at that, this is not excusable. This should not have happened.”
Health officials said in a statement that the infection may show up as redness, pain or tenderness, swelling, or nodules at the injection site. Medical treatment is needed to resolve the infection.
While vaccines remain an important part of defeating serious preventable disease, mishandling vaccinations may constitute medical malpractice. If you were injured by a health-care professional, a doctor, a nurse, a dentist, a technician or a hospital worker, it means that you might have a medical malpractice claim. Please call the Poppe Law Firm® at (502) 895-3400 or fill out our online intake form to see if we can help you recover for your injuries.