Health authorities in Spain’s Basque Country have launched an investigation after expired doses of the childhood hexavalent vaccine were administered to 253 patients, mostly infants. Osakidetza, the Basque public health service responsible for delivering healthcare across the region, began contacting the affected families this week. Basque Health Minister Alberto Martinez said consultations with the national medicines agency AEMPS, the Basque Vaccine Advisory Council and the vaccine manufacturer concluded that the expired doses pose no health risks or adverse effects to recipients. The childhood hexavalent vaccine protects against six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. In Spain’s system of regional autonomy, the Basque Country holds self-government over health policy and services through its own Department of Health and Osakidetza.