What should be done if an inactivated vaccine is found to be expired?

When an inactivated vaccine is found to be expired, the most appropriate action is to repeat the injection with a viable vaccine. Inactivated vaccines do not provide the necessary immune response once they have passed their expiration date; this is due to potential degradation of the vaccine components over time. Therefore, administering an expired vaccine could result in insufficient immunity against the disease it is meant to protect against.

Providing a new, viable vaccine ensures that the patient receives effective immunization. This action aligns with the best practices in vaccination, ensuring that individuals are sufficiently protected against preventable diseases.

While informing the patient about the expiration and reporting to healthcare authorities could be part of a response to such an incident, the primary focus must be on ensuring that the patient receives the necessary protection through administration of a viable vaccine.