Providence Doc Reprimanded for Giving Kid Vaccines to Adults

The RI Department of Health has reprimanded a Providence doctor for giving child vaccines to adults in his care. 

Wadid S. Azer, MD, who practices medicine at Hope Medical Group, 770 N Main St., Providence, RI, with privileges at St. Joseph's, Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals, was unable to account for inventory of pediatric vaccines, likely allowing some to be administered to adult patients, according to a release from the Health Department. 

Health Department immunization program staff visited the doctor's practice May 14, 2012, and found the office had not properly accounted for pediatric vaccines received in 2010. On July 25, 2012, Azer agreed to only administer pediatric vaccines to patients aged 19 and younger, according to the Health Department. 

On Feb. 5, 2013, Health Department officials learned the doctor improperly allowed transfer of vaccines between his pediatric and adult practice offices, and that his medical assistant had either used pediatric vaccines on adult patients, or that the office was otherwise unable to account for pediatric vaccine shipped to the adult care office. 

A review of both practices' immunizations by an expert hired by Azer found that no harm had been done to adult patients, but some were under-immunized for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV and Tdap. Letters were sent to the patients affected notifying them they needed additional vaccines, according to the Health Department.

Azer was reprimanded by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, which ruled he committed unprofessional conduct. Azer must pay $500 to the Health Department to cover the cost of the investigation into the matter.