The Public Prosecutor's Office files the complaint filed by the Patient Advocate for the case of expired vaccines in Osakidetza

The prosecution has shelved the complaint filed by El Defensor del Paciente in the case of expired vaccines in Osakidetza, as confirmed by the Public Prosecutor's Office to EITB.

For the time being, the full content of the resolution has not been disclosed.

The case came to light after Osakidetza observed the administration of expired hexavalent vaccines to minors between December 2025 and January 2026. After learning of the facts, the Department of Health and Osakidetza set up a Commission for Vaccine Research and Traceability to analyse what happened and propose improvements.

The report prepared by that committee concluded that the errors occurred at different stages of the vaccine traceability and management process. Among the reasons identified were the purchase of more doses than usual in 2023, the accumulation of stock with a near expiration date, errors in the management of refrigeration equipment and errors in the administration and recording of doses.

Following the findings, the Health Counselor, Alberto Martínez, announced a package ofimmediate and medium-term measures to strengthen the safety of the vaccination system, including a review of purchasing criteria, the appointment of vaccination officers at each health facility, new vaccine and refrigerator management protocols, and the development of digital tools to improve dose traceability.

Martinez then argued that "under no circumstances" was there a risk to the health of the children concernedand ensured that Osakidetza's vaccination system is highly effective, although he admitted that control mechanisms need to be strengthened to avoid new failures.

The prosecution's decision to file the complaint comes three months after the findings of the commission of inquiry and the implementation of the corrective measures announced by the Department of Health.