AHMEDABAD: Two children have died in
Gujarat due to unknown reasons, prompting a government enquiry to ascertain whether the deaths are linked to the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination for which a drive is underway, an official said on Tuesday.
While the families of the deceased alleged that the deaths occurred due to "adverse reactions" caused by the vaccination, the health officials ruled it out.
The deceased were identified as Dimple Maheswari (13) and Mukesh Ninama (7) who hailed from Kutch and Aravlli districts respectively.
The health department has ordered a probe into the death of Dimple Maheshwari in Khirsara village, a senior officer said even as he ruled out any connection between the vaccination and the death of the girl.
According to the police, Maheshwari suddenly collapsed at her house. She was rushed to a health centre in Naliya town, where doctors declared her brought dead, a Kothara police official said.
The police have registered a case of accidental death.
"The girl's family members have alleged that she died because of the adverse effects of the MR vaccine given to her a few days back. We have sent the body for a post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of the death," the official said.
The Gujarat government launched a state-wide vaccination drive on July 16 to protect children in the age group of nine months to 15 years from measles and rubella.
Chief district health officer (CDHO) for Kutch Pankaj Kumar Pandey said a three-member team has been formed to probe Maheshwari's death.
Pandey, however, ruled out the possibility of any link between vaccination and the death of the girl.
"Over 100 children in that village were given the vaccine. If at all there was any problem in the vaccine, it could have affected all these children. But that is not the case. We have sent a three-member team to that village to probe the death of the girl," he said.
The CDHO said there was a gap of almost five days since the administration of the vaccine to Maheshwari on July 19 and her death.
"Had there been any problem with the vaccine, the adverse effects whatsoever would have been noticed that day itself. Of over 1 lakh children in Kutch district covered under the drive till now, no such case has surfaced," he said.
On July 22, seven-year-old Ninama, a class 2 student from Bhiloda taluka in the Arvalli district, died four days after he was administered the vaccine, according to the police.
As per a complaint registered by Bhiloda police station, the boy died after suffering an epilepsy attack.
"The boy was given the MR vaccine four days before he died. His family members have claimed that the vaccine was responsible for his death. We are awaiting the post-mortem report so that we can know the exact cause of the death," said inspector A S Patel.
Bhiloda CDHO Amarnath Verma said around 30 children in Bhiloda taluka alone had fallen ill after they were administered the MR vaccine.
However, Verma maintained that vaccine cannot be blamed for the adverse health conditions.
"This vaccine does cause some mild effects, as the body reacts to it. But, there are no ill effects of this vaccine. It is also possible that the children fell ill because of the seasonal diseases. Many who fell ill were already given discharge after primary treatment," Verma said.
Ever since the vaccine drive was kicked off, reports have been coming in from various parts of the state about its possible adverse effects.
However, the state authorities have maintained that the vaccine is safe and there is no need to panic.
"We have received some cases from some of the districts. But, this cannot be called as the adverse effect of the vaccine. Sometimes children feel uneasy due to tension. Otherwise, there is no need to panic. This vaccine is absolutely safe," said Gujarat health commissioner Jayanti Ravi.
Chief minister Vijay Rupani had also stressed that the vaccine was safe for children.
"Lakhs of children have been given this vaccine till now. If at all it was not good, then all of them could have been affected. But, that is not the case. However, we will also investigate how some children fell ill after taking that vaccine," the chief minister had said.
Representative Photo
