Connecticut: 4 State Locations, approximately 3833 patients receive ineffective vaccines over 18 mon

(CBS Connecticut) -- Hartford HealthCare is alerting thousands of patients at four suburban locations that vaccines they received from the beginning of last year through this month might not have been stored properly. Some of the patients will need to be re-vaccinated.

The vaccines which might not have been kept at the recommended temperatures are for a variety of diseases – including flu, pneumonia, tetanus and pertussis, but also including others. The offices where the refrigeration fell out of the recommended range are Enfield, Storrs, Unionville, and South Main Street in West Hartford.

Hartford HealthCare Medical Group says 5,003 doses given to 3,833 patients may have been kept out of the proper temperature long enough to affect their potency.

Doctors stress the potentially ineffective vaccine will not harm patients, but they expect to recommend in most cases that the patients be revaccinated, for full protection. Hartford HealthCare Medical group says will provide the appropriate vaccination at no charge in those cases where it’s appropriate.

Hartford HealthCare is reaching out to the patients, but has also set up a hotline for those with questions, at (877) 707 4442, or patients can call their personal physician, or check information on their website, http://hartfordhealthcaremedicalgroup.com/vaccines/