Sex: F
Vaccine: PNC15
Symptoms: Skin laceration, Syringe issue
Clinical narrative: the MA cut the pad of her first finger on the top joint on her right hand because the syringe was completed broken at the end where the flange attaches to the barrel.; Was the product administered or exposed to patient's bodily fluids (i.e. biohazardous)? NOT administered to a patient, but cut a staff member (MA) and blood exposed; The first finger was cut on a broken glass pre-filled syringe flange; The first finger was cut on a broken glass pre-filled syringe flange; This spontaneous report has been received from a licensed vocational nurse via a company representative and refers to a female patient of unknown age, who is a medical assistant (MA). Her pertinent medical history, current conditions, previous drug reactions or allergies and concomitant medications were not provided.  On 08-MAR-2024, the patient cut the pad of her first finger on the top joint on her right hand (unknown severity) on a broken glass pre-filled syringe at the end where the flange attaches to the barrel, while opening a sealed package of pneumococcal 15v conj vaccine (CRM197) (VAXNEUVANCE) 0.5 milliliter injection, for prophylaxis (lot number X022479 has been verified to be valid, expiration date reported and verified as 23-JAN-2026) brand new box dose 1 of 5 that did not appear defective. The glass syringe and flange at the end of the barrel were broken/snapped off where the plunger would enter the syringe and rests. The glass was completely broken in three pieces and there was a sharp glass edge as well as a piece of the flange broken in the tray ("ring/flange was broken from sheath, then a piece of the ring also broken off and floating in the plastic package tray"). The patient's cut was approximately the length of a metal staple and not deep.  The MA cleaned the cut and applied a bandage.  It was reported that the cut was completely healed within one week (March 2024; outcome recovered).  The syringe was discarded, and the vaccine was not administered to the patient due to the product having blood on it (syringe issue, injury associated with device, skin laceration and skin haemorrhage).    On 28-MAR-2024, they identified that another brand-new box contained another broken pneumococcal 15v conj vaccine (CRM197) (VAXNEUVANCE) syringe (lot number X022479 has been verified to be valid, expiration date reported and verified as 23-JAN-2026); received in two boxes, each one contained five doses. It was again the first dose that was broken in the "exact same way" with glass pieces floating around in the tray. It was reported that the broken syringe was identified prior to opening the sealed tray and before attempting to pick up and attach a needle; and there was no injury or adverse events associated with it. Only one dose was affected out of 10 in the second affected box identified (conflicting information, it was also reported that the product is received in two boxes and that each one contained five doses). There was a crack reported in the first incident on 08-MAR-2024 only in addition to the breakage, ("near breakage of end of syringe near where flange broke off").  All doses were isolated and placed out of patient use for safety. No doses were administered. The tip of the syringe or luer lock adaptor was not loose or broken off of the syringe tip. The syringe tip cap was attached properly in both dates; the cellophane covering the syringe tray was intact and completely sealed; the syringe carton was not damaged.  The causality assessment between the events and the suspect vaccine was not provided.