ANXIOUS parents fear their children’s health may be at risk after they were given double the correct dose of the swine flu jab in a medical blunder.

An investigation has been launched after 59 children under the age of five were given adult swine vaccines by mistake at the Health Care Resource Centre in Caldwell Road, Widnes.

One worried mum said: “I wasn’t going to get my baby daughter vaccinated because I was worried about the side effects.

“I changed my mind and let her have it.

“Now, I’m out of my mind with worry after she’s been given twice the proper dose.”

Halton MP Derek Twigg is demanding an explanation.

He said: “Questions need to be asked about clinical governance.

“I would especially like to know how the error was not discovered until after 59 children had received the jab.

“Had it been something likely to cause side effects, it could have been much worse.

“Also what procedures are in place to monitor children over the next few weeks to reassure parents further?”

Mr Twigg raised the issues with Andrew Burgess, chief executive of Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust, after concerned parents contacted him.

He added: “The PCT needs to review if their communcations with parents after they found the error met standards of best practice.”

A spokesman for Halton and St Helens PCT, said: “We take this incident extremely seriously and sincerely apologise to parents for any anxiety and distress caused.

“We would reasssure all concerned that clinical experts have advised us that no significant or long term side effects should be expected.

“We can assure a robust and far reaching investigation is now under way.”

The PCT says parents were contacted by phone as soon as the mistake was discovered. Personal home visits were made to families who could not be reached by phone.

Parents who remain concerned can call a clinical helpline on 0781 055 0419.