In January 2024, a bottle of Vacuneda® was returned to Medical Wire and Equipment Co. (Bath) Ltd headquarters. The bottle of blood culture medium was discovered after a hospital, based in South England, cleaned out a condemned office. The manufacture of Vacuneda® was discontinued in the 1980’s as laboratories centralised and adopted new technologies with automated platforms.
Amongst other aging treasures of a once bustling microbiology laboratory office, MWE’s Vacuneda® had settled on its side, still fully sealed, and sterile. Although the seal in still intact, we would advise against using it.
It is impressive and astonishing that this particular bottle has remained sterile several decades subsequent to this batch’s expiry in ‘84.
We will be displaying this gem of MWE history in our reception area and also congratulated our production and quality control teams on their high manufacturing standards.
